Will Sainz and Leclerc Stay at Ferrari?
The contracts of both Ferrari drivers, Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, are set to expire next year, fueling speculation about potential changes to the team’s lineup. However, Ferrari’s chairman, John Elkann, has made it clear that he intends to keep both drivers with the team moving forward.
While the future of several Formula 1 drivers remains uncertain, including that of Logan Sargeant at Williams, Ferrari’s situation appears to be more stable. If Sargeant continues with Williams, the team’s driver lineup will remain unchanged from the one seen at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. For Ferrari, however, the focus has shifted to confirming the contracts of Leclerc and Sainz, both of whom have been strongly linked with other teams in the past. In particular, rumors have surfaced suggesting that Sainz could be a target for Audi. Despite these speculations, both drivers have consistently expressed their desire to remain at Ferrari and continue contributing to the team’s success.
Elkann, in a recent interview with Agenzia di Stampa Italpress during Exor’s investor day, confirmed that both Leclerc and Sainz would stay with the Scuderia for the foreseeable future. Elkann acknowledged that the 2024 season had been somewhat underwhelming for the team, even though they managed to finish third in the Constructors’ Championship. He also pointed out that Ferrari had struggled to compete with the dominant Red Bull squad. However, he was quick to highlight the positive momentum that the team built toward the end of the season, where they managed to challenge Red Bull more closely and secured multiple pole positions.
The 2024 season saw Ferrari secure one victory, with Sainz claiming victory in Singapore, as well as a total of nine podium finishes. This total places Ferrari on par with McLaren, although it remains significantly behind Red Bull, who had a dominant season. Despite the disparity in results, Elkann expressed optimism about the team’s future and emphasized that the team needed to build upon the strong performances shown in the latter part of the season. He believes that with continued development and focus, Ferrari can close the gap to Red Bull and mount a more serious title challenge in the upcoming season.
Looking ahead, the commitment to Leclerc and Sainz suggests that Ferrari is eager to maintain stability within its driver lineup as they look to rebound in the next championship. With both drivers bringing considerable talent and experience to the team, Ferrari’s leadership is hoping they can help push the team back into title contention. It’s clear that while challenges remain, Ferrari remains focused on its goal of returning to the top of Formula 1 racing.
As the new season approaches, all eyes will be on Ferrari to see whether they can capitalize on the momentum from their recent performances and continue to improve. With their driver lineup confirmed, the team’s next steps will be critical in their quest to challenge Red Bull and McLaren for supremacy in Formula 1.
