Ferrari had an interesting season this year with extreme highs and many lows. Since the team’s driver, Carlos Sainz won the Singapore Grand Prix by beating the three-time World Champion Max Verstappen, his stakes at the team have gone up. It was the first race of the season with the only non-Red Bull win and the execution of it is quite commendable. However, the Spaniard’s contract with the Prancing Horse team is coming to an end of the 2024 campaign.
But according to F1 reporter Leo Turrini, Ferrari has already worked out a contract with Sainz and Charles Leclerc that will keep them on the team beyond 2024.
Turrini stated, “There will be official communication soon that Charles [Leclerc] and Carlos [Sainz] will remain at Ferrari beyond 2024. Leclerc and Sainz will try to win the World Championship dressed in red” as per Formulapassion.
According to Leo Turrini, Quotidiano Sportivo: “There will be official communication soon that Charles [Leclerc] and Carlos [Sainz] will remain at Ferrari beyond 2024. Leclerc and Sainz will try to win the World Championship dressed in red.” https://t.co/Q99sipAMl4
ā Junaid #JB17 (@JunaidSamodien_) November 22, 2023
Remarkably, Leclerc and Sainz have formed one of the most balanced teammate combinations, each winning the internal duel once. At the moment, Sainz is the only race winner for Ferrari this season, with a slim 12-point lead over Charles in the 2023 standings. With one race left, Ferrari is in third place in the Constructors’ Championship standings, just four points behind Mercedes.
Abu Dhabi showdown: Ferrari makes a bid for Constructors’ runner-up against Mercedes
The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is the last chance for any team to make an impact against Red Bull’s incredible season. After Max Verstappen won this year’s championship, the best drivers occupying the top spots are fighting for the P2 position in Drivers’ Standings.
At the Yas Marina Circuit, Mercedes and Ferrari are expected to compete for second place. Teams had a wide range of obstacles and chances to finish the 2023 season strong in the concluding race of the calendar. With a combination of lengthy straights and quirky turns, the Yas Marina track set the backdrop for Red Bull to round up the season in style, mirroring their 2022 win and the very controversial one in 2021.
4 points between Mercedes and Ferrari. š±#f1 #LasVegasGP pic.twitter.com/Yw45UybYlO
ā WimboFormula1 (@Formula1Wimbo) November 19, 2023
Ferrari considered Abu Dhabi to be an appealing track due to its past success in qualifying on rear-limited circuits. Better still, less wear on the tires may help them in their quest for the coveted second position. On the contrary, Mercedes sought to fend off a revived Ferrari after an unsuccessful effort in Vegas. Yas Marina was not the German team’s first choice of track, hence taming their somewhat erratic W14 had to be done.
The thrilling battle between Mercedes and Ferrari in the Constructors’ Championship raised the excitement level for the season finale. The two clubs’ narrow four-point gap has raised expectations, as both had been aided by favorable factors.