According to the latest reports, McLaren hasn’t given up on Carlos Sainz completely. News from the rumor mill suggests the British team is doing everything in its power to retain the Spaniard’s services for 2021. Moreover, Sainz is apparently giving Mclaren a chance to counter Ferrari’s offer before he decides on a team.
Carlos Sainz – not completely done with McLaren. yet.
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Unless you’ve been completely out of the loop, Sebastian Vettel won’t be teaming up with Ferrari from next year. A few days back, the Maranello outfit officially announced Vettel’s exit from the team. As a result, Ferrari currently has a vacant seat heading into 2021, which many believe Carlos Sainz will occupy.
The Sainz – Ferrari rumors aren’t new and have been around for quite a few months. Nobody expected Ferrari to part ways with Vettel but many were aware of Sainz being a potential replacement. The Spaniard is in a very powerful place right now as he has two of the biggest teams fighting over him.
Nobody could’ve predicted Ferrari and McLaren tussling over Carlos Sainz a few years back. However, it’s now come true, and the Spaniard has an important decision to make. Judging by the rumors, Ferrari announcing Sainz seems like a mere formality at this point. But it appears the Spaniard is giving McLaren a chance to match or better Ferrari’s offering.
According to the Spanish publication Marca, Ferrari is allegedly offering Sainz a salary between 6 and 7 Million Euros for a period of two years. Nearly half of what Charles Leclerc earns at the Maranello outfit. Apparently, McLaren could offer Sainz one last contract which will either match or better Ferrari’s deal.
It’s important to note that money alone is unlikely to change the Spaniard’s mind. Not every driver gets the chance to drive for arguably the most iconic team in Formula 1. More importantly, Ferrari can guarantee Sainz a race-winning machine. Something McLaren cannot promise at this stage.
While signing with Ferrari would propel Sainz into the history books, there’s an ugly side to the contract which he can’t ignore. Its likely Ferrari will ask Sainz to play the team game and move aside for Leclerc on some occasions. A very different atmosphere compared to the one in McLaren, where he’s the de facto leader.
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