Ferrari expects to have “easy discussion” with Carlos Sainz about contract extension. Ferrari expects "easy discussion" with Carlos over new F1 contract.

Scuderia Ferrari Spanish driver Carlos Sainz moved to the Maranello team last championship on a two-year contract and can be more than happy with the outcome of his first year in red: Carlos scored four podium finishes and finished P5 in the drivers’ championship, ahead of his current Maranello teammate Charles Leclerc and his former teammate Lando Norris.

Ferrari is also happy for the way in which Carlos Sainz has worked alongside Charles Leclerc, as the two have formed a good relationship and hekped Ferrari secure P3 in the constructors’ standings, behind Mercedes and Red Bull.

Ferrari sporting director Laurent Mekies confirmed in the last race of the previous season that he thought Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc were “as good as it gets” as Formula 1 teammates, while team principal Mattia Binotto admitetd that he wants to discuss the Spanish driver’s future with the Italian side ahead of the start of next season.

The Ferrari boss expanded on his plans to talk to Carlos Sainz about a new Ferrari deal in order for him to continue with the team beyond the end of 2022:

“As we said I think in the last race, we will discuss through the winter time the extension of his contract. We’ll sit down with time and try to understand. Certainly I think he did very well during the season, [we are] very happy the way that he has integrated, the way that he has been performing on-track and during the race weekends. So no doubt that we’ll sit down and try to find an agreement. That will be part of the winter period.” – Mattia Binotto added.

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The Ferrari Team Principal confiremd during the media briefing that he was yet to formally talk with Carlos Sainz to evaluate his first year in Maranello, but was confident it would be a straightforward conversation.

“I would like to sit down with him, I’ve not started yet the discussion with him. I don’t know what he’s got in mind as well as him, Carlos, as a driver. So today, there is not an answer to that. First I would like to understand how he’s pleased, have a review of him with the season and look together to the future. It will be, I think, an easy discussion, no doubt. But so far we have not started, so I have no answer for you.” – Mattia Binotto explained.

Scuderia Ferrari will therefore rely on a Charles Leclerc – Carlos Sainz line-up for the next year, as the Monegasque driver has a long-term contract which is available until the end of the 2024 campaign.