Scuderia Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz has not signed any pre-contract with Audi. The Spanish driver has been contacted by the German team, but his priority is to renew the agreement with the Maranello team, according to information reported by F1 journalist Franco Nugnes for Motorsport Italy
Someone from the entourage of the Spanish driver, while trying to explain what the future scenario is, jokingly said: “Plan A is Ferrari. Plan B is Ferrari, and Plan C is still Ferrari.”
In short, it seems clear that if the Scuderia proposes a contract to the two drivers to extend their expiration, which is set for the end of 2024 for both, it is easy to predict an extension of the duo that will last until the new regulations.
Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur has no intention of discussing contracts until the end of the season (perhaps opening negotiations after the Italian GP in Monza), to first focus on the development of the SF-23, which will continue throughout the season until the United States Grand Prix. After that, he will implement his plan to strengthen the Maranello team and make some additions to the technical structure to reinforce the group that has begun designing the 676, namely the 2024 Formula 1 car.
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We are talking about a team of engineers consisting of Enrico Cardile, the technical director in the making; Enrico Gualtieri, head of engines; Diego Tondi, head of aerodynamics, and Fabio Montecchi, head of vehicle concept (it’s interesting to note that an Italian team has its personnel roles expressed in English…).
To complete the circle, it should be added that Audi’s position is still rather remote in the management of Sauber: the commitment of the brand represented by the four interlocking rings will gradually increase in the Hinwil team until the debut with their own engines in 2026. However, it is reasonable to think that in terms of the driver market, Andreas Seidl, CEO of the Sauber Group, is already moving in advance, looking for drivers for 2025 who will later represent the Ingolstadt brand in Formula 1 since Valtteri Bottas and Guanyu Zhou, who have been quite disappointing this year, are unlikely to be part of the future plans of a team that should have the ambition of an official brand.
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