Ferrari latest stance on Carlos Sainz contract after new Charles Leclerc F1 deal

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Ferrari have now signed Charles Leclerc to a new, multi-year contract but they ‘need more time’ to answer Carlos Sainz’s request for the Spaniard’s future at the F1 team.

The Scuderia have stayed slightly cagey over the conditions of the contract that Leclerc has signed to stay in Maranello. But Ferrari have locked their star driver down as the 26-year-old was set to be out of contract after 2024. Their focus now shifts to Sainz and his future in red.

Like Leclerc was, Sainz is currently due to be a free agent in 2025 having so far only agreed to two-year contracts since joining Ferrari. The Scuderia handed the 29-year-old a deal for 2021 to 2022 after joining from McLaren. He signed an extension to the end of 2024 in 2022.

Carlos Sainz is pushing Ferrari for a new, two-year contract

According to Lawrence Barretto, Sainz’s intentions are to – again – sign a two-year to remain in Formula 1 with Ferrari. The Spaniard is keen to stay in Maranello until, at least, the end of 2026. Sainz is also pushing the Scuderia to resolve his future before the 2024 season starts.

But Ferrari still ‘need more time’ to decide if Sainz is worth another two-year contract. They are continuing to discuss if the only non-Red Bull race winner over the 2023 season is worth that length of a commitment. Ferrari know they will have options to replace Sainz next year.

Leclerc has seen Ferrari answer his pleas by agreeing on a new contract through to, at least, the end of 2026. The Scuderia have not disclosed the full length of his multi-year deal. But it gives both parties a chance to see what Ferrari deliver when the regulations change in 2026.

Ferrari have identified Lando Norris as a potential replacement

F1 will adopt new regulations for the 2026 season with revised aerodynamic rules, plus new power units running 100% sustainable fuel. Leclerc is now signed up to see what Ferrari will deliver in 2026 and Sainz hopes to have a contract that gives him the same opportunity, too.

But doubts still appear to remain in Maranello if Sainz is worth keeping in red beyond 2025. Reports by the Mirror in December also suggested that Ferrari are only inclined to give Sainz a one-year contract to keep his seat free so the team can target McLaren pilot, Lando Norris.

McLaren are in talks with Norris about his new contract, with the 24-year-old out of contract after 2025. But Ferrari have their eyes on the Briton as Sainz’s successor and still ‘need more time’ to say if the Spaniard is worth keeping beside Leclerc into Formula 1’s new regulations.