Carlos Sainz positive on Ferrari's 2022 prospects as he eyes contract agreement in near future

Ferrari ace Carlos Sainz has said that he is hoping to sign a new contract with the team and that he is feeling optimistic about his and the Scuderia’s chances ahead of the 2022 Formula 1 season.

Sainz impressed a great deal last year in what was his first season with the team, with him beating team-mate Charles Leclerc in the Drivers’ standings and also every other driver – barring those in the stronger Mercedes and Red Bull cars – to finish 5th overall.

Indeed, it was a campaign that underlined his quality as a driver and he’ll be desperate to take that further in 2022 if the Ferrari is quick enough.

2021 was certainly positive for the Prancing Horse as a team as they sealed 3rd in the Constructors’ championship – a good turnaround after a chronic 2020 – and the hope has to be that that progression will continue as F1’s new era dawns.

Certainly, Sainz is feeling pretty upbeat about his chances this coming campaign, and it sounds as though he wants to get a new contract with the team sorted soon, with talks ongoing:

“As Mattia [Binotto] said, we are both satisfied and we intend to continue together,” he told Corriere della Sera newspaper.

“This winter is an opportunity to find an agreement – we are trying.

“Being world champion with Ferrari is my greatest ambition. I would like to renew as soon as possible.”

Sainz then looked ahead to the 2022 campaign, saying he is quietly confident about the Scuderia’s prospects for next season:

“We are full of energy and positivity.

“I think last year’s experience did us all good. In the corridors, in Maranello, I meet people who are smiling and sure of themselves. I don’t see stress, I see the desire to do well.

“The car is ready, and so am I.

“This Ferrari seems even more reactive