Ferrari has given Carlos Sainz a new contract that will keep him at the team through to the end of the 2024 Formula 1 season.
The deal was announced ahead of Ferrari’s first home grand prix of 2022 at Imola this weekend.
It comes as no surprise, with both Sainz and Ferrari having made clear in recent months that their preference was to stay together and it was just a matter of reaching a contractual agreement.
“I am very happy to have renewed my contract with Scuderia Ferrari,” said Sainz.
“I have always said that there is no better Formula 1 team to race for and after over a year with them, I can confirm that putting on this race suit and representing this team is unique and incomparable.
“My first season at Maranello was solid and constructive, with the whole group progressing together. The result of all that work has been clear to see so far season.
“I feel strengthened by this renewed show of confidence in me and now I can’t wait to get in the car, to do my best for Ferrari and to give its fans plenty to cheer about.
“The F1-75 is proving to be a front-runner, which can allow me to chase my goals on track, starting with taking my first Formula 1 win.”
Sainz’s championship-leading team-mate Charles Leclerc had long since been secured through 2024, having agreed a five-year deal at the end of 2019.
Team principal Mattia Binotto added: “I have said several times that I believe we have the best driver pairing in Formula 1 and so, with every passing race, it seemed a completely natural step to extend Carlos’ contract, thus ensuring stability and continuity.
“In his time so far with the team, he has proved to have the talent we expected from him, delivering impressive results and making the most of all opportunities.
“Outside the car, he is a hard worker with an eye for the smallest detail, which has helped the whole group to improve and progress.
“Together, we can aim for ambitious targets and I’m sure that, along with Charles, he can play a significant part in fuelling the Ferrari legend and will write new chapters in the history of our team.”
Ferrari is the fourth team Sainz has raced for in F1. He originally joined the field as a Red Bull protege with Toro Rosso for 2015, when he was paired with Max Verstappen.
With no clear path to a seat with Red Bull Racing, Sainz departed for Renault to replace Jolyon Palmer in a driver reshuffle before the end of the 2017 season.
The Renault relationship only lasted one full campaign, with Sainz then spending 2019 and ’20 at McLaren – though by the delayed start of the latter season he had already been announced as Ferrari’s 2021 replacement for Sebastian Vettel.
Though Sainz outscored Leclerc in their first season as Ferrari team-mates last year, he has been on the back foot in 2022 so far and already has a 38-point championship deficit.
The 27-year-old Spaniard now has 143 grand prix starts under his belt, and though he has yet to win, he’s taken eight podium finishes.
