Carlos Sainz stand-off with Ferrari clear after new contract for Charles Leclerc

26 January 2024 , 06:00

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Ferrari still have Carlos Sainz's contract dilemma to solve, now that they've secured agreement with Charles Leclerc (Image: AFP via Getty Images)

News of Charles Leclerc's new contract got people talking, mostly over the lack of clarity regarding how many years he has committed to stay with Ferrari.

But more important may well be the other thing that was absent from the press release approved by chiefs at Maranello. Leclerc's future with the team is now certain if it wasn't already - but what of his team-mate Carlos Sainz?

After all, he too is out of contract at the end of this year, as Leclerc was before putting pen to paper on his extension. Surely, the best outcome for Ferrari would have been to announce new deals for both their drivers in one fell swoop?

The fact they didn't no doubt means that the Scuderia has yet to reach an agreement with Sainz. And the sticking point is almost certainly how long each side wants the new contract to be.

After all, the Italians do not have to persuade the Spaniard to stay. Driving for Ferrari is an immense source of personal pride for Sainz and staying in the seat that he currently fills is undoubtedly his preferred option.

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But it is not his only option - and that gives him leverage. That seems to be especially important in this situation, with the Spaniard seeking a long-term deal and Ferrari not wanting to have both their race seats filled for a long time.

The team would prefer to keep one of their places semi-free, with plenty of talented young drivers becoming available within the next year or two. Most notably, Lando Norris' current McLaren deal ends in 2025 and the Scuderia may fancy their chances of poaching the Brit if the Woking-based squad is still not in a position to challenge for titles.

But such a strategy risks alienating Sainz at a time when it is really not necessary. And, as mentioned, the 29-year-old is being courted by other interested parties - most notably Audi, who would very much like the Spaniard on board when the existing Sauber outfit branded as Stake F1 becomes the German carmaker's official works team in 2026.

There has already been contact between Audi and Sainz's people, and there will no doubt be other suitors interested in his services should they become available. But Ferrari has the power in their hands to make sure that doesn't happen any time soon.

Leclerc is the central cog around which the team is built these days and that will not change any time soon. Sainz may be able to make his peace with that but pushing him away with contract offers which may be deemed as an insult would be pointless. Ferrari must remember that, although the Spaniard wants to keep his seat, he doesn't need to.

Daniel Moxon