It is an "open secret" in the Formula 1 paddock that Charles Leclerc has been speaking with Mercedes amid speculation over his Ferrari future.
The Monegasque's contract with the Scuderia expires at the end of next season and, at the moment, there are no signs that a renewal is imminent. He has been heavily linked with Mercedes as a result, especially given the future of Lewis Hamilton is also far from set in stone.
The Brit's contract expires this year. His desire of an eighth world title is no secret and, amid Mercedes' struggles for competitiveness, it has been suggested by many that he could be tempted to leave for a rival team to fulfil his final F1 ambition.
According to renowned Italian F1 journalist Leo Turrini, if Hamilton chooses not to stay at the Silver Arrows the vacant seat would likely be taken by Leclerc. With both Ferrari and Mercedes not close to be competing with Red Bull this season, the two racers have been considering their futures.
Turrini explained in a piece for Quotidiano Nazionale that Leclerc's talks with Mercedes are already known about within the paddock. He wrote: "Leclerc is talking to Mercedes is the open secret. Everyone knows it, from the remote garage in Maranello to the Indian Ocean."
If Hamilton was to leave Mercedes, the German team would want to replace him with an experienced driver. Leclerc alongside George Russell would no doubt be a very attractive option for the Silver Arrows.
Turrini added: "Russell is very, very strong. But if Hamilton were to stop, whoever pays in Stuttgart might not accept another [Valtteri] Bottas alongside a driver who is not yet a world champion."
The Ferrari drivers' contracts are set to expire at the end of the 2024 but, amid rumours that Hamilton has also been in talks with the Scuderia, the idea of a straight swap between the two might not be so far-fetched.
But Turrini shut down these claims and declared: "I know that Hamilton has never been close to the red team. There was never a deal. Never."
