Next season will be crucial for Formula 1 and the driver market, with fifteen drivers on expiring contracts. With the regulations set to change in 2026, the next sequence of agreements and deals will dictate how the field looks for a new era of F1.
Of the top teams, Ferrari will be the most active in negotiations. Mercedes and McLaren have both drivers on multi-year contracts, whilst the Italian outfit still has to strike a deal with its driver pairing.
Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz are set to continue with the team, and agreements should be reached before the 2024 season begins. At least for the foreseeable future, this seems like nothing more than a formality. After all, there are no realistic alternatives with the front-running teams.
Ideally, most drivers will want to retain flexibility for 2026 – when the field could change drastically. New car and engine regulations will see teams rise and fall in a highly unpredictable period.
Leclerc to agree multi-year contract, Sainz chases two-year deal
With this in mind, it is quite uncontroversial to say Leclerc will continue at Maranello for the next two years. The main point of contention is the exact duration of the deal, although it will almost certainly be a multi-year contract.
However, it is slightly more complicated for Carlos Sainz. To be clear, the Spaniard is expected to sign an extension with the Italian outfit. With that said, reports suggest there is more disagreement between these parties.
According to recent reports, Sainz wants his extension to be at least two years. This is relatively standard practice, with most drivers enjoying the security of a multi-year contract.
Supposedly, the Maranello-based team prefers to give Sainz a one-year deal to keep their options open after 2025. Whether Ferrari eventually agrees to offer a multi-year deal (or if a short-term extension is signed) remains to be seen.
Sainz has already expressed his intention to stay at Ferrari, so a compromise will almost certainly be reached. Again, the duration of Sainz’s contract will be crucial.
With the pecking order set to change in 2026, the two-time race winner could be a massively important player in the driver market. This is likely why the #55 wants to start the 2026 season with Ferrari to evaluate other potential options.
Only signing a one-year deal would leave Sainz forced to switch teams in 2025, which would be a significant risk. With the winter break now underway, Ferrari will work to define its driver situation for the foreseeable future.
Author: Jaden Diaz-Ndisang
