Carlos Sainz Jr. has extended his contract with the Ferrari F1 team until the end of 2024, it has been announced. The Spaniard, who joined Ferrari for the start of the 2021 season and who’s contract ran to the end of the ’22 season, will continue to sit alongside Charles Leclerc at the Prancing Horse.
I am delighted to have renewed my contract with Scuderia Ferrari,” said Sainz. “I have always said that there is no better Formula 1 team to race for and after over a year with them, I can confirm that all my expectations have been exceeded. Putting on this race suit and representing this team is a great honour for me and I really look forward to keep enjoying our journey together. My first season at Maranello was solid and constructive, with the whole group progressing together and the result of all that work has been clear to see so far season.
“I feel confident and hugely motivated after this renewal as it shows the trust in me and now I can’t wait to get in the car, to do my best for Ferrari and to give its fans plenty to cheer about. When I joined the team in 2021 the goal was to help Ferrari get back to the winning ways and to fight for both Championships. Now, the F1-75 is proving to be a front-runner, which truly allows me to chase those goals.”
Sainz, who sits third in the 2022 drivers’ championship at the time of writing, started his F1 career with Toro Rosso, now AlphaTauri, in 2015. After three seasons with the Austrian squad, and realising he wouldn’t get the chance to drive for the senior Red Bull outfit, Sainz moved to Renault for the final four races of the 2017 season and 2018. For 2019 and 2020 Sainz drove for McLaren alongside Lando Norris, achieving a then career best third position in Brazil in his first year with the team and a second place at Monza in his second.
“I have said several times that I believe we have the best driver pairing in Formula 1,” said Ferrari team principle Mattia Binotto, “and so, with every passing race, it seemed a completely natural step to extend Carlos’ contract, thus ensuring stability and continuity. In his time so far with the team, he has proved to have the talent we expected from him, delivering impressive results and making the most of all opportunities.
Outside the car, he is a hard worker with an eye for the smallest detail, which has helped the whole group to improve and progress. Together, we can aim for ambitious targets and I’m sure that, along with Charles, he can play a significant part in fuelling the Ferrari legend and will write new chapters in the history of our team.”
Keyword: Carlos Sainz signs new Ferrari contract to 2024