Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz may not have been definitively been told that he is the team’s second driver behind Charles Leclerc, but that has been the common perception for a significant period of time.
The Spaniard has often found it tough to keep up with Leclerc, who is seen by the Maranello as their solution to a future world champion for the past few years.
While Sainz could have let this doubt cripple his abilities, he has completely changed the equation this season, putting in a string of solid results.
His upturn in form and general uncertainty over exactly how Ferrari values him has seen Sainz linked with a few teams in the past, but perhaps none of those rumours have been as strong as the Audi link.
As things stand, Sainz has a contract with Ferrari till the end of the 2024 season and with Audi set to enter the sport in 2026, it is not unrealistic to expect him to consider his future.
Sainz has now opened up on what has been a tough time for him at the Maranello when his ability was routinely questioned over the merit in being paid $12,000,000 annually.
“I wasn’t so bad when I was criticized, nor am I so good now,” Sainz said.
“You have to go race by race, in sport you always go through good and bad moments and you have to focus on yourself.”
Experts believe that Ferrari has stalled any future contract owing to Sainz’s inconsistency in the past. The same reason has been attributed for Leclerc, owing to his performances this season.
As far as the relationship of the duo is concerned, it has been pretty healthy ever since Sainz arrived from McLaren, replacing the then Aston Martin-bound Sebastian Vettel.
Although they have a good relationship off the track, they are still always looking to compete against each other on it.
Both drivers have been neck-and-neck during their time together at Ferrari. While Sainz finished ahead of his teammate in 2021, Leclerc got the better of him the following year. This year, Sainz leads Leclerc by 15 points with a few races still to come.