Both Ferrari drivers, Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, will run out of their current contract at the end of the 2024 season. And while both Scuderia drivers were negotiating a multi-year contract extension, Ferrari announced a new deal for the Monagasque driver yesterday without specifying when the contract will end. It’s clear that Leclerc was always the top priority for Ferrari, as Carlos Sainz finds himself still negotiating the terms for what is rumored to be a 2-year deal. However, according to recent reports, Carlos Sainz seems to have a plan B in case a long-term deal with Ferrari doesn’t pan out.

Carlos Sainz Sr, father to the 29-year-old Spaniard recently won the Dakar Rally with Audi, marking their first win in the sport. And rumors are suggesting that Sainz Sr might be talking to his son about a possible switch to Audi, once the brand enters the sport with the new engine regulations at the start of the 2026 F1 season.

Delayed contract extension is not a stressful situation for Carlos Sainz

Sainz Sr took Audi’s RS Q e-tron machine to his fourth victory in the Dakar Rally, showcasing his expertise in the demanding world of rallying. However, in the press conference after his victory, Sainz Sr spoke about the conversation with his son. It turns out that the father-son duo have been in conversations about Audi’s foray into Formula 1.

With Audi’s reputation for building many successful motorsport projects, there’s no doubt its entry into F1 will definitely command respect despite being a rookie team. With Sainz Sr being a part of the Audi family, it makes sense that discussions about a move to Audi for Sainz Jr would be a part of their usual conversations.

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In a recent report from formula passion.it, Carlos Sainz Jr is not shaken by Leclerc’s contract extension. The report quoted the Spanish sports newspaper AS stating, “There is no nervousness in the driver’s entourage. We are working on a one or two-year contract, although some important points still need to be resolved. The priority is to renew for a long time with Ferrari. But there is a plan A and a Plan B. Sainz is in the sights of other teams such as Audi which will enter F1 starting from 2026. But it is not just Audi that is interested in Sainz.“

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Sainz Jr has clearly shown that on a good day, he can secure pole positions and even take his Ferrari to the top step of the podium. So what might be the reason for delaying his contract?

The length of the contract extension seems to be the point of contention between Sainz Jr and Ferrari

While the announcement of Leclerc’s contract was inevitable, given Ferrari’s preference, the absence of a similar announcement for Carlos Sainz Jr was a bit surprising for many. After all, the Ferrari duo has proven to be quite a competent driver pairing on the grid. Their unique driving styles and preferences help the team make the most out of both cars instead of proving to be a hindrance.

However, it seems like Ferrari and Carlos Sainz are stuck on what seems to be the length of the contract extension. While Ferrari would want to keep their options open for a driver market shakeup during the 2025 season, Sainz wants stability with a longer extension, possibly till the end of 2026 or maybe even 2027 if possible. Given his talent and his preference to stay at Ferrari for the long haul, it would be a loss for the Maranello squad if they let Sainz Jr go because of their unwillingness to give a 2 or 3-year extension.

Watch This Story | Is Carlos Sainz Looking to Move Away from Ferrari?

What are your thoughts on the matter? Do you think Ferrari should agree to the terms laid out by Carlos Sainz Jr? Share your insights in the comments below.