Leclerc gets big bucks for 2-year Ferrari deal!

Italy's La Gazzeta dello Sport says Charles Leclerc's deal with Ferrari is done and dusted, and worth a reputed 5 million euros for the young hopeful.

According to the authoritative sports daily, Leclerc has agreed to a two-year deal by which he will earn €2M in 2019 and €3M the year after, with an official announcement scheduled between the Belgian and Italian Grands Prix.

While the retainer may appear as pocket change compared to the sport's biggest earners, it's still a hefty amount for a 20-year-old rookie.

The venerable BBC is also claiming the deal between the Sauber driver and the Scuderia is as good as done.

"The move comes after an impressive start to Leclerc’s F1 career this year with Sauber, including points finishes in four of the last five races," wrote the Beeb's F1 correspondent Andrew Benson.

• Vasseur denies talks about Raikkonen/Leclerc swap

"If the deal is confirmed, it would mean the end of 2007 champion Kimi Raikkonen’s five-year stay at Ferrari."

Leclerc, a native from Monte Carlo, admitted recently that racing one day for the House of Maranello has always been at the forefront of his ambitions.

"It is a dream since [I was] a child to drive for the red cars so hopefully this will happen one day," he said.

"I will give everything for it to happen next year but the decision is not in my hands and the only thing I can do is give the best of myself on track and then hopefully it will be enough to consider me for the seat next year."

Sauber boss Fred Vasseur recently confessed that he expected to lose Leclerc to Ferrari sooner rather than later, but denied however reports in Austria that the switch could come in-season and as early as Spa.

"We have a contract with Charles until the end of the season and have not talked about the future yet," said Vasseur.

"I can understand the rumours in the press, but they have nothing to do with reality."

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