Sainz gives update on Ferrari contract talks

Carlos Sainz has provided an update on his future with Ferrari in Formula 1.

Sainz's deal with Ferrari expires at the end of next year and the Spaniard has been linked to rival projects, including Audi, ahead of the new regulations that will come into effect in 2026.

Sainz joined Ferrari in 2021 and has taken two Grand Prix wins in that time with his most recent coming at the Singapore Grand Prix earlier this season.

However, the Italian squad has been unable to compete for a World Championship since his arrival.

Despite its shortcomings across the last handful of campaigns, Sainz has asserted that he is happy at Ferrari and hinted he is willing to commit to the team beyond the end of next year.

“Where I'm at is that I'm comfortable,” Sainz told media including RacingNews365.com.

“I'm happy in Ferrari. I trust the team. I see positive steps being taken in the right direction. I see a committed team working in the right direction.

“I've always said, I'm happy here and that the winter was going to be a good time to sit down and see if we can come to an agreement for the future.

“Which, if they're happy with me, and I'm happy with them, shouldn't be too much of a problem.

“It's hopefully going to happen this winter. And if not, it will drag for longer. But let's see.”

Sainz content with currnet season

Ferrari entered the campaign hoping to challenge for the World Championship after securing four race wins last year.

However, Red Bull dominated the entire field by winning the first 14 races of the campaign.

Sainz hailed Ferrari's efforts to recover during the year and stated it was rewarded for its hard work in Singapore when it won amid an off weekend for Red Bull.

“It's been a decent season overall,” he said. “I was feeling good with the car straight away from the beginning of the season.

“Then, going through this first phase of the year, where we were trying to understand where we were, why we were suddenly half a second off Red Bull, why at other circuits we were nearly on pole.

“[We were] understanding what was going on and what had Red Bull done to all of us, which was to, all of a sudden, dominate the way they were doing.

“The first part was obviously a bit under expectations, but then we put our heads down and we started working well, and we nailed the opportunity when it came in Singapore.

“I think that means a lot for us this year.”