Sainz signs pre-contract with Audi

Carlos Sainz has taken the first step to leave Ferrari at the end of his current contract, expiring at the end of the 2024 season, by signing a pre-contract with Audi, as the German manufacturer is gradually taking control of the Sauber team before becoming a full-fledged works team from the start of 2026.

Whilst both Ferrari drivers are under contract until the end of next year, Team Principal Frédéric Vasseur has insisted “the drivers contracts are not a priority for now”.

But speaking exclusively to AUTO ACTION last weekend in Spa-Francorchamps, Sainz admitted that, “I do prefer starting a season already knowing where I’m going to be the following year.”

“Because that takes away the distraction that there always is to be negotiating a new contract when you need to be fully focused on what you’re doing on track and on the work you have to do with the team you’re currently with.

“That’s the only way to make progress.”

He then added that, “while it’s still early days and the end of the season is still some four months away, it’s true that once this championship will be over I’ll fully focus on sorting my future.”

“The goal is to go into the 2024 championship without any worries about it and my contract for the future already signed and sealed.”

Could Carlos Sainz Junior follow Carlos Sainz Senior to Audi? Image: Flavien Duhamel / Red Bull Content Pool

Despite the driver from Madrid insisting “I believe in the Ferrari project” sources close to the 2022 British Grand Prix have told us he has already signed a pre-contract with Audi.

Even though that’s not a binding commitment – pre-contracts are rife in Formula 1 and Ferrari has an history of always having three to four drivers with pre-contracts signed for future years, to give the Scuderia priority over their services in case of need – it shows the Spaniard is considering his alternatives.

As Carlos Sainz Sr. has strong links with Audi, he certainly knows all the key people inside the company’s motorsport structure and has inside information about their Formula 1 program.

Very much like he did with Red Bull, when he managed to get Dietrich Mateschiz’s support for his son’s career against Helmut Marko’s wishes – an unique case in the company’s Young drivers’ program – the 61-years old may be playing a vital role in the future of his son’s Formula 1 career, even is a new contract with Ferrari is not discarded, depending on how the Scuderia progresses in the next four months.

Read more from AUTO ACTION’S F1 man on the ground Luis Vasconcelos in the latest issue of AUTO ACTION. Or subscribe here.

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