The Spaniard, whose present contract with the Italian group runs till the top of 2024, has already been singled out as a possible candidate to affix Audi when the German producer completes its takeover of the Sauber squad.
Nonetheless, in an unique interview with Autosport, Sainz stated that present hypothesis linking him with Audi was large of the mark as there had been no discussions with it.
As an alternative, Sainz says he’s prepared and keen to decide to an extended deal at Ferrari as he believes the squad has every little thing wanted to ship success in F1.
Whereas he doesn’t must rush discussions and will wait till subsequent season to type issues out relating to a brand new contract, Sainz is obvious that he needs to keep away from competing in 2024 with out realizing the place his F1 future lies.
“I am not going to lie, I don’t like going into my final yr of a contract with out actually realizing the place I am racing the subsequent yr,” he stated.
“I went by that course of each with Purple Bull and Renault, and I do know it’s not excellent as an athlete, and as a driver. It is simply not the suitable factor. And that is why I’ve put this winter as a reference to attempt to determine my future.
“My precedence, and my most important objective, is to win sooner or later with Ferrari. And I feel I’ve made that clear, very, fairly often. And that is why I’ll give my precedence to them this winter.
Sainz has denied rumours linking him to a transfer to Audi.
Picture by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
“If not, it’s going to even be time to look elsewhere. However that is my precedence and what I wish to type out within the winter.”
Sainz has discovered himself linked to Audi a number of instances, together with his pace, expertise and clever method to racing making him a lead candidate for its entry in 2026.
Nonetheless, Sainz thinks tales {that a} deal is being lined up will not be based mostly on actuality, and as a substitute have been thrown on the market by people hoping to make a reputation for themselves.
“I actually suppose there are weeks in F1 the place there’s nothing to speak about,” he stated. “I do not know if it is clickbait or possibly smaller journalists attempting to deliver a narrative to achieve notoriety, and make their smaller web page extra profitable as a result of they’ll say: ‘I used to be the primary one to say Carlos was at Audi in 2026’.
“I actually suppose it is one thing associated to that, as a result of I do not perceive the place the rumours come from. It doesn’t suggest I’ll go, or won’t go, it is not possible to say. However I do know by indisputable fact that proper now, I am not speaking with anybody else that isn’t Ferrari.”
Whereas Ferrari has endured some challenges this season, with its SF-23 struggling for consistency in races, Sainz is satisfied it has the capability to get well.
He says that the mindset and method again on the manufacturing unit are precisely what he believes is required for it to unlock the solutions required to enhance its on-track efficiency.
“I feel the group is in state,” he stated. “We’re nonetheless going by some modifications internally, as you have seen since Fred [Vasseur] arrived.
“There’s been just a few modifications right here and there that we’re reorganising. However the best way the manufacturing unit works together with the race group, I feel it is in a great place. That is why I do not suppose there’s any lack of information on the group. This does not fear me.
“It’s actually specializing in understanding the magic bullet of why are we sluggish within the races. As soon as we perceive that, every little thing might be quite a bit simpler for everyone.”