In an F1 team, it is understandable when the driver who is ahead in the driver’s championship is favored. In the case of Ferrari, Charles Leclerc has been Ferrari’s number 1 driver since Sebastian Vettel left the team. Vettel’s replacement, Carlos Sainz, had not managed to outscore Leclerc in 2021 and ’22. But this season, Sainz has scored more points than Leclerc. Despite that, Sainz was not allowed to go ahead of Leclerc at the Canadian GP and Leclerc was favored. Adding to that, Sainz also finds himself without a contract at the end of 2024. Owing to these reasons, the Spaniard has now given Ferrari an ultimatum.

Carlos Sainz joined Ferrari in 2021 with a 2-year contract. For Ferrari, that would have been the period where the Spaniard would be tested for a longer partnership. In his inaugural season with them, he scored 164.5 points, securing P5 in the Drivers’ championship. And in 2022, he finished in P5 again, but this time, with 246 points. Owing to such performances, Ferrari signed him for another 2 years, until the end of 2024. But he has had no talks about a contract renewal for post-2024, and it is bugging him.

Sainz said, as quoted by it.motorsport.com, “I don’t want to lie; I don’t like starting a season knowing it’s the last year of my contract. I want to know what awaits me in the long run. I have had previous experience with Red Bull and Renault. I know that not knowing your future is not ideal for a professional driver.”

He further added, “For this season, a priority next winter will be to clarify my position, being understood that for me, the main objective is to win one day at Ferrari, something I have made clear many times. This will be my winter priority. If it’s not possible, I’ll be forced to look elsewhere.”

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It is not just this off-track topic that is troubling for him. The SF-23’s inconsistency is another matter that is more immediate and needs attention.

Carlos Sainz Not Optimistic of Ferrari’s Chances at Victory

Ferrari put up a great all-round performance at the Canadian GP. Their race strategy was spot on and the drivers scored good points, finishing P4 and P5. It looked like the comeback had started. But Sainz has said that the car is still very inconsistent, and it was the nature of the Montreal track that favored them.

Sainz said, as quoted by MSN, “I think our pace in Austria will depend a lot also in the characteristics of the circuit. We’ve seen places like Monaco or Canada, we are stronger than places with higher-speed corners like Barcelona where we struggled a bit more. So I think we will see variations in our competitiveness.”

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At this point, Sainz finds himself amid a plethora of problems. The only way he can make his way out of this pit is by showing up and putting his best on the racetrack. For him, the next opportunity is at the Red Bull Ring, at the Austrian GP.