December 1st 2023.
Ferrari chairman John Elkann has reportedly said that both Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz will 'certainly' stay at the Formula One team beyond 2024. This is a huge relief for the Ferrari team, as Leclerc and Sainz occupy two of the most sought after and prestigious seats on the grid.
Though both drivers had a disappointing season in 2023, there were still some highlights including five poles for Leclerc and a victory in Singapore for Sainz - the only non-Red Bull win of the year. This is why it's no surprise that both drivers have reaffirmed their commitment to Ferrari over the past few months.
Leclerc and Sainz have been linked to rival teams due to their expiring contracts; the former has been touted as a possible replacement for Sir Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes, while the latter has emerged as Audi's top target for when the German manufacturer enters the sport in 2026.
But it appears that both will be staying put, with Italian media reporting that Elkann has said: 'Leclerc and Sainz will certainly stay at Ferrari.' Leclerc himself echoed this sentiment, saying in November: 'Ferrari is so special and I wouldn't change my position with anyone else on the grid. I have always been dreaming of being a Formula One driver, and even more so with Ferrari. It's been many years together and I want to finish the mission with a world championship.'
Similarly, Sainz expressed his commitment to the team in October: 'There has never been a doubt. I am very comfortable with Ferrari, I want be here for the medium to long-term. I hope that the winter is a good opportunity to find an agreement and continue working in the future because it's the place that I love driving for and I see myself driving [for them] and winning a world championship soon.'
It is clear that both Leclerc and Sainz are dedicated to the Ferrari team and the Scuderia have no doubt that they will stay. This is a huge boost for the team, and ensures that they have two of the most talented drivers on the grid for the foreseeable future.
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