Carlos Sainz has staggeringly revealed that he will be “forced to look elsewhere” should Ferrari not offer him a new contract this winter, something he’s seemingly demanding.
Whilst the Spaniard is currently contracted until the end of 2024, Sainz isn’t wanting to enter next season with the pressure of knowing “it’s my last year of my contract”.
As a result, the Ferrari driver is keen to understand the team’s plans this winter, so that he is aware heading into next season if he’ll need to start searching for a new team.
Sainz seemingly wants to be able to fully focus on the racing rather than on contract shenanigans, something which has already started for Charles Leclerc.
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Understandably, he wants to avoid the not “ideal situation” of entering 2024 without a plan for 2025, meaning he’ll be talking to Ferrari this winter to “clarify my position”.
“I don’t want to lie, I don’t like starting a season knowing it’s my last year of my contract, I want to know what awaits me in the long run,” Sainz said.
“I have had previous experience with Red Bull and Renault, and I know that not knowing your future is not the ideal situation for a professional driver.
“For this reason, one of the priorities over the next winter will be to clarify my position, it being understood that for me the main objective is to win one day at the wheel of a Ferrari, something I have made clear many times. This will be my winter priority, if it’s not possible I’ll be forced to look elsewhere”.
Based on his current form, Sainz does seemingly stand a chance of receiving a new contract.
There aren’t really any drivers currently who could replace Sainz and do a better job, something which could save his seat.
The 28-year-old has actually been the better of the two Ferrari drivers so far this season, with him sitting 14 points ahead of Leclerc in the Drivers’ Championship.
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However, Sainz is yet to finish on the podium, something he had a good chance of doing in Miami, until he was penalised for speeding in the pit-lane.
Sainz is certainly quick enough to be a Ferrari driver, he just needs to deliver podium finishes more often.
In his defence though, the Maranello-based team need to give him a good enough car to do so, something they haven’t really done this season.