
Ferrari will start talks with Carlos Sainz about a contract extension after the Spaniard’s impressive debut season with the Italian team.
The 27-year-old Sainz replaced Sebastian Vettel together with Charles Leclerc (whose contract runs until the end of 202) with a two-year contract last season and ended the 2021 season with the best fifth place in the drivers’ standings, a run of 15 consecutive placements in points and a total of four podium places.
READ MORE: Sainz Says Abu Dhabi Podium is the ideal way to end a “magical” first season with Ferrari
At his media meeting at the end of the season in December about the renewal of Sainz’s contract, Ferrari team boss Mattia Binotto said: “I would like to sit down with him.” [Sainz]. I haven’t started the discussion with him yet, I don’t know what he’s up to either, so there is still no answer to that.
“First I want to understand how happy he is. You can review the season with him and look to the future together. It will no doubt be a simple and easy discussion. “
Carlos Sainz: Podium in Abu Dhabi was “the perfect way to end a great year”
Binotto praised Sainz’s performance, which resulted in 164.5 points and a best result in second in Monaco.
“You know, when we signed with Carlos, the goal was to have two good drivers who are good racers, who are consistent and able to score points for the team,” he said. “I think it’s what we’ve achieved this season so I’m very proud of both of them.
READ MORE: “P3 is not our goal,” says Binotto – but the 2021 result gives Ferrari “confidence” for 2022
“I think, as I’ve said many times, we have the best line-up in Formula 1 and in the paddock and I’m pretty happy with what Carlos has done this season. Since he was his very first season at Ferrari, it wasn’t easy and obvious.
“But we signed with him because we said he was a good racing driver, was consistent and always got good points. I think he’s a good learner too because he has improved over the season and I think the end of the season is his best piece of the season. “