Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto has revealed why he was so keen to lock in Carlos Sainz’s future, saying offering the Spanish driver a two-year contract extension was key to the future stability of the car. Italian team.
This Thursday on the eve of the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, Scuderia Ferrari confirmed a two-year contract extension for Spaniard Carlos Sainz, which means that Charles Leclerc’s teammate will drive for the Maranello team. until the end of the 2024 campaign at least. When Mattia Binotto was asked why he wanted to extend Sainz for two more years, Binotto replied: “First of all, we are very happy with him, the way he has integrated into the team, the way he behaves and I just think he meets expectations. »
“I think we are very, very happy and it was a good time to look forward, and I think renewing his contract is like giving the right stability to the team as well. We know that our pilots are confirmed until the end of 2024 and we can take advantage of this. And I think as Ferrari our main objective is really to try to create the foundations for the future, and with this composition I think that’s the best we can do. »
In Australia, Carlos Sainz had to retire during the first laps of the race after crashing his Ferrari into the gravel trap, while this Friday at Imola, the Spaniard hit the wall during qualifying. Despite his struggles, Binotto said he didn’t think there was any particular problem Sainz needed to overcome – although the Maranello team boss admitted the pressure of a potential title this year had affected Sainz’s performance.
“I don’t think there are any problems, certainly he has to adapt, I think he made some big mistakes, nevertheless I think he is improving. It goes faster and faster and if I watch yesterday [en qualifications vendredi], he was going really fast. It’s a shame, because when he came out I think it was not the right time to push hard and he knows it very well. »
“I think it’s a matter of dealing with the pressure, maybe it’s the first time in his career that he’s had a car fast enough to compete for the top positions and he just has to get used to it. . But he will do it very quickly because I know how smart he is and how good he is at handling pressure. »
Tenth on the starting grid for the Sprint race, Carlos Sainz managed to get back into the race on Saturday and crossed the finish line in fourth place. The Ferrari driver will therefore start from this position this Sunday for the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix.
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