Ferrari is rumored to replace Carlos Sainz with a Red Bull outcast if the Spaniard leaves in 2024

Whispers have begun circulating Maranello, hinting at a probable shakeup within the Ferrari team. Carlos Sainz, who is now under contract with the Scuderia until the end of 2024, has been linked to a move away from the Scuderia. Reports of contract extension conversations have been noticeably lacking, feeding the gossip mill. According to reports, if Carlos Sainz decides to leave the team once his contract expires, he will be replaced by Alex Albon.

As whispers grew louder, the tantalizing possibility emerged that Carlos Sainz could find solace in Audi, set to enter the Formula 1 grid in 2026. The Spaniard has long cherished the dream of clinching a championship title with Ferrari. However, his aspirations might be thwarted by the team’s recent shift toward a more Leclerc-centric approach.

A report from the Italian media giant Corriere dello Sport suggests that: “However, the irreconcilability between Carlitos’ sacrosanct ambition to become world champion and Ferrari’s determined intention to become Leclerc-centric.

And now uncontrolled rumors are filtering, according to which Vasseur hooked Alex Albon to have him in the red from 2025, to bring points and watch Charles’s back. It is a plausible hypothesis considering the various circumstances that the contracts of Sainz with Maranello and of Albon with Williams expire at the end of 2024.″

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Ferrari president John Elkann explains the reason for the delay in the contract talks

Ever since his comeback to the sport with Williams, Alex Albon has showcased remarkable form and contributed valuable points to the Williams team this season. Furthermore, his close friendship with childhood companion Charles Leclerc adds an intriguing dynamic that could mesh well within the prancing stables.

While Sainz’s contractual fate hangs in the balance, a similar cloud of uncertainty hovers over Leclerc. Their contracts are set to expire in 2024, with talks of extensions slated for discussions during the summer break of this year. Leclerc, once linked with a direct transfer to Mercedes, unequivocally dismissed those rumors, affirming his commitment to the Prancing Horse.

After the terrible start to the season, President John Elkann has recently revealed that Ferrari’s objective in recent weeks has been to develop the SF-23 disadvantage as soon as feasible and that there was no rush to renew the driver contracts.

Team principal Frederic Vasseur then expressed his eagerness to maintain the Leclerc-Sainz pairing and stated that discussions would begin following the summer break. Only time will reveal the true course of events. F1 heads to Silverstone for the weekend, and Ferrari has planned a few upgrades for the race. The Silverstone track is dubbed to be the true test of their development path. 

In case you missed it:

• Max Verstappen takes a stand against the 2026 regulations, decrying F1’s political dance
• Fred Vasseur indirectly blames Matti Binotto for Ferrari’s disastrous start to 2023

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