Carlos Sainz is transparent about his intentions to sign an extension with Ferrari as the F1 winter break approaches.
Next year’s F1 driver market promises to be extremely dynamic. Over 75% of the grid have contracts that expire next year, including the Ferrari duo of Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc.
Sainz is often mentioned in hypothetical F1 transfer discussions, especially since the recent arrival of Audi. Although there is nothing substantive behind his line to Audi, the point remains that Sainz is a valuable asset in the market. Looking ahead to next season, he could be a key player in the market.
Up until now, the 29-year-old has made clear that continuing with Ferrari is the priority. This is largely unsurprising, given the Italian outfit still contends for podiums and occasional race victories. Red Bull still dominates, no doubt, but there are few teams with a better chance of victory in F1.
Even in the chasing pack, featuring Mercedes, McLaren and – to some degree – Aston Martin, there aren’t any realistic openings. Therefore, at least for now, the main issue is not if Sainz wants to stay at Ferrari. A move elsewhere on the grid is highly risky – unless there is a significant shift in the market.
The Ferrari Perspective
Instead, the focus should be on Ferrari and their decision-making. Generally speaking, the Maranello-based team seems happy with its driver pairing. This seems a logical stance, considering they have two drivers competing at a very high level.
There have been questions about whether this is the correct approach. Traditionally, at least in their Championship-winning seasons, there was a clear hierarchy between its drivers.
Schumacher-Barrichello, Alonso-Fisichella and (most recently) Verstappen-Perez are examples of F1 Championship-winning pairings. A clearly defined “number 1” driver is a common theme across all of them.
This is not to say that two evenly matched drivers are a negative. Mercedes employs a combination of Russell and Hamilton, who – despite some discrepancies this season – are evenly matched. Despite moments of tension, the German team has managed this duo.
McLaren’s drivers are also set to be very equal by next year, provided Oscar Piastri continues his current trajectory. With this in mind, the closeness between Sainz and Leclerc is hardly an exception in Formula 1.
Some would argue that two top drivers are beneficial in a title scrap, particularly with Sergio Perez’s struggles at Red Bull. Still, given Ferrari’s winning drought, it is reasonable for the strategy of the team to be interrogated.
Sainz gives a timeline for negotiations
Team principal Fred Vasseur, amidst these criticisms, defends the strength of the Sainz-Ferrari partnership. In a post-race interview with Channel 4, he said quite unequivocally, “I’d rather have two fast ones than **** ones.”
Meanwhile, Carlos Sainz explained in a press conference when contract talks will begin:
“I will try to decide my future over the winter break. You already know my priority in the short, medium and long-term.
“And I hope that we will know it over winter.
“We haven’t sat down yet. It’s not about if Ferrari wants to renew or not, there simply is not time.”
A series of important takeaways can be made from these quotes. The first, perhaps self-evidently, is that no announcement can be expected in the short term.
Arguably of greater importance is what a contract extension over the winter – or lack thereof – will prove.
Ferrari’s enthusiasm to sign the Spaniard will become more defined as the 2023 season concludes and 2024 approaches.
It would be premature to speculate about Carlos Sainz’s future immediately after the season finale in Abu Dhabi. After all, just over twelve months are left on his current deal.
Still, as a likely hectic driver market approaches, it will be intriguing to observe the first dominoes to fall.
