Italian journalist feels “Ferrari is not considering Carlos Sainz’s contract renewal”. Giorgio Terruzzi wanted to emphasize another perspective after Charles Leclerc's renewal.

Yesterday came the surprising news of Charles Leclerc’s official renewal with Scuderia Ferrari, in a multi-year contract set to end in an unspecified year. If there were already few doubts about the Monegasque’s future, this agreement dispels them all, although the absence of a defined end suggests that the driver will decide when to part ways with Maranello, probably when the Scuderia fails to meet certain standards with him. Now, another significant puzzle piece is missing: Carlos Sainz, about whom there are few certainties.

Charles Leclerc’s new contract suggests that the number 16 will be at the center of Fred Vasseur’s project and his crew, leaving the Spaniard to settle, perhaps, for timelines or salaries that are not very pleasing. In a comment for the Italian daily newspaper Corriere della Sera, motorsport expert Giorgio Terruzzi wanted to emphasize another perspective: “Something doesn’t add up. Ferrari extends with Charles Leclerc but continues to remain silent about the future relationship with Carlos Sainz. An extension of the contract was expected for him as well and, we believe, from him. Instead, silence. Nothing to declare, even when the renewal of his teammate is announced, after having repeatedly suggested, in recent months, that agreements with ‘the drivers,’ plural, would be resolved shortly. Carlos Sainz’s contract will expire at the end of 2024. At this point, it seems difficult to imagine that the issue will be reconsidered soon. This, unless denied, implies the hypothesis that it is not considered at all.” – he explained, as reported by the Italian website formula1.it.

“The consequences are various and potentially sensational. The first, more immediate: the Spaniard will have to find a team rather quickly and in the absence of exciting alternatives. The second, more intriguing: Ferrari is looking for a replacement for Carlos Sainz starting from next year. The verbs here offer an opportunity for much speculation, given the differences between ‘looking for,’ ‘negotiating,’ and ‘signing.’ In uncertainty, we will have repeated turbulence, certain speculations, a barrage of hypotheses. It happens when contracts are sealed, let alone facing this scenario. With a list of names already prepared and abundant, one only needs to recall the rumors of 2023 with names like Alex Albon, Lewis Hamilton, Lando Norris, and Pierre Gasly freely circulating between races. Now, more than ever. Who will replace Carlos? The hunt is open. The question will occupy a good part of the scene at the presentation of the new car on February 13th. Any answer, after a now tumultuous wait, will produce a significant detonation and will still have an interested spectator, Carlos Sainz himself. With the hope that, as a rebound effect, a door, perhaps golden, opens just for him,” concluded the Italian journalist.