Mattia Binotto gives update on Carlos Sainz contract talks with Ferrari

Ferrari Team Principal Mattia Binotto says work is being done every day with a view to giving Carlos Sainz a new contract with the team in the near future.

The Bahrain Grand Prix takes place this weekend as the Formula 1 season begins in earnest and many are expecting Ferrari to potentially be the team to beat.

The Scuderia themselves have tried to play expectations down but both Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc have looked strong in testing and that is certainly a positive sign.

That in mind, then, they’ll be eager to try and sort Sainz’s future out with him saying during the off-season that he is eager to get a new contract with the team agreed sooner rather than later.

And Binotto, speaking to Corriere dello Sport, has said that they are making the right progress towards a final agreement:

“We are working on it every day,” said Binotto.

“The intention is common and it’s just a matter of details to reach a conclusion.

“What I do not know exactly is the moment when we will agree on everything.

“But we are all happy and there are steps forward.”

Certainly, Sainz is one of the most impressive drivers on the grid and it seems fair to say that he has every chance of winning races and maybe even challenging for the championship, if the Ferrari is as strong as some are currently suggesting.

Ultimately, we’re soon going to find out just how the F1 land lies this weekend with the first qualifying and race of the season, after a winter period of intrigue surrounding the brand new regulations and cars.

Sainz and Ferrari are looking good, though, and after a strong 2021 for both of them it would make sense to try and extend their relationship for a little while longer yet.