Formula One: Carlos Sainz signs a new two-year contract with Ferrari

• Carlos Sainz joined Ferrari as a replacement for Sebastian Vettel, who left to join Aston Martin ahead of the 2021 season
• The 27-year old stated that he is happy to extend his deal and that there is no better team in Formula One to race for other than Ferrari
• After the opening three rounds this year, the Spaniard has been second best to runaway championship leader Leclerc
•  Sainz is currently third in the standings, 38 points behind leader and teammate Charles Leclerc

Carlos Sainz has renewed his contract with Ferrari, which will keep him with the team until 2024.

After signing a two-year contract with Ferrari in 2021, Sainz’s future has been a topic of discussion since the start of the 2022 season, with the Spaniard recently stating that he was “very close” to negotiating new terms.

Carlos Sainz at the 2022 Bahrain GP F1 testing. Photo: Autosport

After talks between the two parties, Sainz has extended his tenure with Ferrari for another two years, bringing him to the end of teammate Charles Leclerc’s long-term contract.

Given his form on the track and off-track partnership with Leclerc and the team, his contract extension was bound th happen.

“I have said several times that I believe we have the best driver pairing in Formula 1. It seemed a completely natural step to extend Carlos’ contract,” said team boss Mattia Binotto.

“Outside the car, he is a hard worker with an eye for the smallest detail, which has helped the whole group 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 fuelling the Ferrari legend and will write new chapters in our team’s history.”

“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.

SAINZ IS DELIGHTED WITH THE NEW FERRARI DEAL

Sainz was certainly overjoyed to confirm the good news of his contract extension after struggling to reach an agreement with Leclerc so far in 2022 and suffering a costly retirement in  the Australian GP the last time around.

Sainz was the fastest on the 2nd day of the 2022 Bahrain GP F1 test. Photo: Eurosport

“I am very happy to have renewed my contract with Scuderia Ferrari,” Sainz commented.

“I have always said that there is no better Formula One team to race for o and, after over a year with them, I can confirm that putting on this race suit and representing this team is unique and incomparable.

“My first season at Maranello was solid and constructive, with the whole group progressing together. The result of all that work has been clear to see seasonally.”

SAINZ NOW HAS HIS EYES FOCUSED ON VICTORY 

As his second campaign at Ferrari develops, Sainz’s target is to score a maiden F1 victory.

“I feel strengthened by this renewed show of confidence in me, and now I can’t wait to get in the car, do my best for Ferrari, and give its fans plenty to cheer about.

“The F1-75 is proving to be a front-runner, which can allow me to chase my goals on track, starting with taking my first Formula 1 win.”

After Ferrari’s incredible start this season, Sainz is currently third in the standings, 38 points behind leader Leclerc.

Sainz impressively outperformed his teammate in his debut year in red but has had a rough start in comparison, crashing out of the Australian GP despite Ferrari’s newly-competitive vehicle.

The Emilia Romagna Grand Prix takes place this weekend in Imola, and it will be Ferrari’s first home race of the season.

Ferrari’s team principal Mattia Binotto. Photo: Ferrari

There has been speculation that Sainz would be dissatisfied if Ferrari focused on Leclerc as the most likely title challenger, leaving the Spaniard as the No2 driver, with a lower chance of winning a Grand Prix.

But Sainz downplayed those fears by saying that the team would allow the pair to compete for points and podium spots, the new arrangement appears to put those fears to rest.

“The team will allow us to compete and race each other,” he told the Spanish radio show The Great Match of COPE.

“If one of us stands out and gains a lead in the standings, the other will help during the championship fight. It happens in all teams. What matters is taking part in the battle.

“The ideal situation would be to compete for the title between us without pressure from other teams.”

In red, the Spaniard has only enhanced his reputation. Even though he has yet to reach Formula One’s top step the Madrid-born racer and big Real Madrid fan currently has eight podiums and has been incredibly steady.

Sainz’s new contract also indicates a very stable driver market in 2023.

Both Ferrari drivers have multi-year contracts, with Leclerc’s contract running through 2026, while Red Bull’sBull’s Verstappen and McLaren’s Lando Norris have even longer commitments.