According to recent news, Ferrari's contract extension talks with Carlos Sainz are taking so long because the team is also negotiating with Lewis Hamilton.
Both Ferrari drivers' contracts were due to expire at the end of the 2024 season. The Italian team first suggested it would want to continue with both of their drivers.
However, the talks have taken longer than expected. While the Prancing Horse announced Leclerc's new contract recently, the negotiations with Carlos Sainz seem to be at a standstill.
This came as a surprise because the Spaniard obviously proved during the last season he has what it takes by becoming the only driver to beat Red Bull.
According to formu1a.uno, the reason for Ferrari taking their time with Sainz's contract is that the team is reportedly in talks with the seven-time World Champion.
"The reason for this slow evolution, as Formu1a.uno has learned, is Ferrari’s shock efforts to sign Hamilton for the 2025 season alongside Charles Leclerc!"
Former F1 team owner Eddie Jordan hinted on a recent episode of his Formula For Success podcast (with David Coulthard) that Ferrari does not have too many options at this point when it comes to driver alternatives.
Max Verstappen is contracted to Red Bull, and Jordan suggested there are two reasons why Ferrari would not be considering Hamilton. Firstly, because of his age.
And secondly, because he is loyal to Mercedes. However, the recent report from Formu1a.uno suggests that is not the case. Apparently, the Mercedes driver signed a 1+1 year deal with his team.
This means he would have the flexibility to enter into discussions with other teams to sign a different contract starting from the season 2025.
There have been rumors about Hamilton's talks with the Scuderia a couple of times in the past. But the team principal of the Italian team recently laughed at all the speculations when he said:
"If he signed a contract with me each time that we spoke in the past, it would cost me a fortune!"
On the other hand, Fred Vasseur also often says, " Never say never." Could we see a shocking announcement in the upcoming few days?
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