Ferrari: Spanish media "support" that could hinder Carlos Sainz's contract renewal

When the engines are silent during the natural breaks between Grand Prix races, it’s the Spanish media that helps us fill the information void. From the land of Goya, Picasso, Dalí, and other illustrious artists, news is delivered in an artful manner that certainly does not contribute to maintaining a serene atmosphere at Ferrari. Not that Maranello is fraught with particular tensions at this stage, but there’s always talk of an overexposed reality that is occasionally embroiled, against its will, in destabilizing rumors introduced for specific interests.

As you might have guessed, the subject pertains to the contractual renewal of the drivers. Specifically, the focus is on Carlos Sainz. The Spaniard hasn’t made a secret of it in various public statements: Ferrari is his priority, but the deal needs to be closed before the 2024 championship begins. Carlos is seeking stability, and above all, mental peace: if he must race as a promised groom about to leave for another team, he wants to know. And maybe avoid it.

“I prefer to start a season already knowing where I’ll be the following year. My goal is to reach the 2024 championship without any concerns and with a future contract already signed,” the Iberian had stated some time ago.

Ferrari: Carlos Sainz and Fred Vasseur Are on Different Timelines
For now, in the Gestione Sportiva headed by Frédéric Vasseur, there are other priorities. Not that defining the relationships with the two Carlos is a marginal matter or an annoyance to be postponed indefinitely, but the additional year of association, in the mind of the Draveil manager, is sufficient assurance not to raise the issue now that other priorities are in focus. Among these, of course, is the (re)structuring of the technical team responsible for creating the car tasked with redeeming years of disappointment and meeting the expectations that became urgent with the advent of the “next-gen.”

Comparing these aspects, it becomes clear that the latter is far more pressing than the need to finalize contracts, for which there is still time. But Carlos and his entourage are growing impatient. Perhaps it’s because they have realized that Charles Leclerc is ahead in negotiations, as he himself has indicated with his continuous declarations of love for the Prancing Horse.

This is why the former McLaren driver has started to look around for a while. Cautiously, without diving in, but keeping his radar on high alert. The truth is, Carlos Sainz feels the need to consider himself a key player in an ambitious team. This has led to discussions with Audi, which aims to build a new structure around someone with hundreds of races under his belt, a certain level of technical know-how, and the desire to engage in a credible yet nascent project. These two needs could meet halfway.

For its entry into Formula 1, Volkswagen has focused on a middle-tier entity that is willing to be led. Not by chance, Andreas Seidl was appointed CEO. Something more potent than a simple team principal. From Woking, the former McLaren team principal also brought James Key, who is already working to create a more solid team than the one operating in Hinwil today.

At this stage, Audi is finalizing its power unit while, simultaneously, along with Sauber’s sports management, it’s contemplating the driver line-up of the future. If Zhou Guanyu’s contract expires at the end of 2024 after his recent renewal, Valtteri Bottas’ contract lapses at the end of 2025. Carlos Sainz could be eyeing one of those two seats, possibly advancing by a year the 2026 technical revolution to gain a season of on-field learning.

A couple of months ago, rumors circulated that Carlos Sainz had signed a pre-contract with Sauber-Audi. Such agreements are non-binding and are essentially a form of mutual option the parties agree to, should other negotiations fall through. In simple terms, if the Ferrari contract renewal discussions fail, Carlos would have a clear path to Switzerland.

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Ferrari: It Would Be in Carlos Sainz’s Best Interest to Stay in Red
At 29 years old, the Madrilenian is, therefore, seeking long-term stability. If Ferrari can provide that, along with a role of at least equal standing within the team, then the two parties can sit down to discuss an extension. These doubts may be lurking in the mind of the former Toro Rosso driver and are said to be causing some concern, according to the Spanish media. Audi may not be the only option, as suggested by El Nacional, which increasingly sees Carlos Sainz’s future with Ferrari as uncertain.

“The Madrilenian driver, whose contract with the Italian team expires in 2024, feels ignored in comparison to Charles Leclerc. It’s clear that Carlos Sainz will continue to work with Ferrari only if the Monegasque leaves, which seems complicated. For this reason, he will have no choice but to leave.”

If Audi might seem like a choice born out of mutual interests and hence less speculative, the reports coming from Spain are honestly less credible. One possibility would take him to Alpine, where Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly are not getting along well within the team. But the French team hardly seems like a safe haven for winning, considering the technical challenges, constant changes in management, and a somewhat uncertain medium-term future.

The other suggestion would lead him to McLaren, where Carlos would be a “returning figure.” While Oscar Piastri’s contract is secured until 2026, Lando Norris’s position is more complex: his contract expires in 2025, and it’s no secret that Red Bull has its eye on him. If a move were to materialize, which remains a difficult prospect since Milton Keynes is reluctant to part with a talent like Norris, Carlos could indeed consider returning to Woking. However, in this case, he wouldn’t be the team’s lead driver, and Piastri would have further matured after an outstanding debut season.

From what emerges in these lines, it’s evident that the most advantageous solution for the son of the legend would be to remain at Ferrari. It would require a bit of patience because Fred Vasseur wants to move forward with this driver line-up. Moreover, the historic Italian team has all the ingredients to become a contender for World Championships in the short term, something that neither Audi nor Alpine could guarantee, and which perhaps only McLaren might achieve if the momentum shown from the Austrian Grand Prix until today doesn’t diminish.

It should be noted that Carlos Sainz cannot control the media in his home country, and perhaps he is a victim of their bias. This is an understandable attitude, but it should be more befitting of a fan rather than a communications professional. These impulses, in the long run, could harm the Iberian, who has everything but a congenial atmosphere at the negotiating table.