Why Ferrari and Sainz are still without a deal for their F1 future

While Ferrari announced last week that it had extended its contract with Charles Leclerc, the intriguing aspect was that the team did not simultaneously address Carlos Sainz’s situation.

Sainz had previously been forthright in stating that he did not want to enter the 2024 season with his Formula 1 future unresolved. In an exclusive interview with Motorsport.com last June, the Spaniard said, “I don’t like to lie, but I don’t like being in my last year of contract without knowing where I’m going to be next year.”

“I’ve been through this process at Red Bull and Renault, and I know it’s not ideal for an athlete, for a driver. It’s not the right thing. That’s why I took this winter as a cut-off point to try and clarify my future.”

This stance is not at odds with Ferrari’s own position. At the team’s annual Christmas lunch in Maranello, team principal Fred Vasseur even stated explicitly that sorting out both drivers’ contracts before the new season began was a clear “objective”.

“We have met and started discussions, but we are a bit behind the initial plan,” Vasseur said then. “I don’t see it as a problem at all, we will make our decision very soon.”

With five weeks left until the deadline that Sainz and Ferrari had “tentatively” set, the team’s choice to announce Leclerc’s extension separately rather than wait to reveal both drivers’ news has led some to speculate that matters might not be as straightforward as anticipated. It is understood that Sainz is seeking a two-year extension until the end of 2026, but an agreement seems distant.

Although talks are ongoing, there are whispers that Alexander Albon is the leading alternative, with the Williams youngster’s contract expiring at the end of this year. However, there may also be an over-analysis of Ferrari’s decision to announce Leclerc alone, given that unlike other teams, the Italian outfit rarely confirms its drivers’ deals simultaneously.

With Leclerc’s renewal now done, Ferrari has ample time to finalize Sainz’s contract and maintain stability in its driver line-up for at least the next two seasons.

Photo by: Ferrari

Charles Leclerc, Carlos Sainz, Ferrari

From Ferrari’s perspective, there seems little reason to doubt Sainz’s ability to continue at the team. He has performed impressively during his three seasons in Maranello, forming one of the paddock’s most well-rounded partnerships alongside Leclerc, driving the team forward.

The Monegasque has exceptional talent, which allows him to excel in qualifying and intense races; Sainz, on the other hand, is a consummate professional with a wealth of knowledge and technical sensitivity – qualities that engineers find invaluable.

The two drivers are evenly matched, with their differences negligible and ultimately complementary to boost the team’s overall performance. Nevertheless, the fact remains that negotiations between Sainz’s representatives and Ferrari are taking longer than expected, and the silence around the matter has fueled speculation about the real situation.

It’s clear, however, that Sainz is in a stronger position in these talks compared to his previous contract renewal. On April 21, 2022, Ferrari announced that the Spaniard would stay on for the 2023 and 2024 seasons. At that point, Leclerc had won two of the first three races and finished second in the third; Sainz had taken two second places and a third in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. Two years on, Carlos is likely eyeing better terms, not just financially but also in terms of contract duration.

It’s no coincidence that Ferrari avoided specifying the length of Leclerc’s new deal, as any number would hint at the team’s long-term strategy.

If Leclerc’s new contract indeed runs for three seasons through to the end of 2027 (with options for the following two), as rumored, it would confirm once more that Maranello sees the Monegasque as a key asset for its future.

In such a scenario, it won’t be easy for Sainz to fit into his role. While there are no signs of a clear number one and two driver hierarchy at Ferrari, there are other priorities – such as commercial partnerships and media exposure – where the “lead driver” might receive more attention.

That said, victories are crucial for the team principal, as was evident in last year’s Singapore Grand Prix, where the entire team rallied around Sainz.

Albon as a replacement?

Photo by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images

Carlos Sainz, Scuderia Ferrari, Charles Leclerc, Scuderia Ferrari, Alex Albon, Williams Racing

When driver and team talks stall, it’s important to consider alternatives on the market. Lando Norris’s decision to commit long-term to McLaren rules him out for the foreseeable future.

If Ferrari is looking for someone who fits the team’s ethos, has strong technical knowledge, and understands how a top team operates for 2025 and beyond, Albon is an obvious candidate. Last year, there were already rumors in Italy that he was the team’s long-term preference, although Vasseur denied it at the time, citing that it was too early to discuss driver negotiations.

It is understood that the Thai driver will be a free agent again in 2025. While he enjoys life at Williams, the allure of joining a legendary outfit like Ferrari would be hard to resist. Last year, Albon indicated that he was in no rush to sign with Williams, as he wanted to keep his options open.

“I think I have the confidence to keep an open mind,” Albon said. “I want to give myself the opportunity to fight for wins, to fight for podiums. It depends on where we’re at, at that time, can we turn Williams into that kind of team by then?”

But even if Ferrari opts for another driver, it doesn’t necessarily spell the end of Sainz’s F1 career. The Spaniard has often been linked with Audi. Following his father’s recent Dakar Rally win with the German manufacturer, Sainz praised the brand. Even teams like Aston Martin could be a viable option.

However, it can be argued that staying together makes more sense for both Sainz and Ferrari.

Translation by: Expert AI Translator