- Carlos Sainz and Ferrari have agreed a two-year extension which will see the Spaniard continue to race for the Scuderia through 2024.
- After compelling performances through 2019, Ferrari quickly moved to sign Sainz on to replace four-time champion Sebastian Vettel.
- Sainz enters Ferrari’s home grand prix at Imola third in the Drivers’ Championship after taking two podiums so far in 2022.
Ferrari’s Formula 1 driver line-up isn’t going to be changing any time soon.
The manufacturer, which currently leads both world championships, already has Charles Leclerc signed up through 2024.
Now his teammate has put pen to paper for the same length of time.
Carlos Sainz and Ferrari have agreed a two-year extension which will see the Spaniard continue to don the famous red overalls until 2024.
The renewal, which was announced ahead of Ferrari’s home grand prix at Imola, came as no surprise, with both parties indicating over the winter that they were merely finalizing the details of the contract.
Ferrari saw no reason to ever consider replacing Sainz, while Sainz was never going to find a better role than at a Ferrari team contending for its first title in 14 years.
“It was super straightforward to be honest,” Sainz said of the process. “It has been easy-going after such a first year we had, getting to agree through the winter was fairly easy for both parties.
“Now having the opportunity to announce at a place like Imola in front of the Tifosi on a weekend like this was ideal.”
Sainz joined Formula 1 in 2015 with Toro Rosso following a junior career backed by Red Bull, and fared well against teammate Max Verstappen.
While Verstappen was propelled into Red Bull, Sainz had to bid his time with Toro Rosso before pushing through a loan arrangement to drive for Renault in 2018.
Carlos Sainz catches up with former teammate Max Verstappen ahead of this year’s Bahrain Grand Prix.
Dan Istitene – Formula 1Getty Images
That move did not pan out successfully, but a switch to McLaren—which not only meant he severed all ties with Red Bull but gained the security of a two-year deal—allowed Sainz to flourish and make the next step.
A first podium arrived with a last-to-third drive in Brazil in 2019, while Sainz added another trophy to his cabinet in Italy in 2020.
His performances through 2019 caught the eye of Ferrari, and when the marque decided to move on from four-time champion Sebastian Vettel, it swiftly settled on Sainz.
Sainz’s first year in red was impressive as he swiftly adapted to his new surroundings, embedding himself within the team in Italy, and finished all 22 grands prix—including four of them on the podium. Vettel left large shoes to fill, but Sainz ensured the four-time champion was not missed.
“With every passing race, it seemed a completely natural step to extend Carlos’ contract.”
Sainz enters Ferrari’s home grand prix at Imola third in the Drivers’ Championship after taking two podiums so far in 2022.
Team boss Mattia Binotto has previously described a partnership of Leclerc and Sainz as “the best driver pairing in Formula 1,” and outlined that it was a no-brainer to extend the relationship.
“With every passing race, it seemed a completely natural step to extend Carlos’ contract, thus ensuring stability and continuity,” said Binotto.
“In his time so far with the team, he has proved to have the talent we expected from him, delivering impressive results and making the most of all opportunities.
“Outside the car, he is a hard worker with an eye for the smallest detail, which has helped the whole group to improve and progress.
“Together, we can aim for ambitious targets and I’m sure that, along with Charles, he can play a significant part in fueling the Ferrari legend and will write new chapters in the history of our team.”
Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz celebrate with their team after taking the top two podium spots at the F1 Grand Prix of Bahrain last month.
Lars BaronGetty Images
That two-year deal—which is effectively nearly three seeing as we’re only a small way into 2022—will provide Sainz the stability that he craves. After short-term deals at Toro Rosso, and his sole year at Renault, it was the assurance of a multi-year deal at McLaren that allowed Sainz to kick on, and which he has since replicated.
“Well, I think it’s key, it’s no secret recently that not only me but other drivers say it is important to have the full mind focused on the performance and racing and not on what the future holds,” he said.
“Since I discovered this when I raced for McLaren, I’ve been vocal on this. It’s not like I was worried in the first races [of 2022]but it always gives you that extra bit.”
Sainz’s teammate Leclerc, who leads the standings by 34 points, welcomed the development.
“Carlos is a great guy, other than just a very good driver too, we have a very good relationship, we also work together very well,” said Leclerc. “What is most important is we also have the same feedback—we need the same things from the car and this is extremely important for the future of the team for us to both push in the same direction. This has been the case for the last year and a half, and I think we are already seeing the benefits so having Carlos in the team for the next two years is great.”
It also leaves Ferrari without such external distractions as it chases the championships that it desires.
The future of Ferrari drivers is always a story—particularly among media in its native Italy, where Ferrari is almost a religion—but the squad has wisely been able to shut down any speculation before it has even begun.
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