Ferrari has confirmed the signing of Carlos Sainz to replace Sebastian Vettel from 2021.
The Spaniard quickly emerged as the favourite to take over from the four-time world champion next year, after it was announced Vettel would not be extending his contract at the Scuderia.
Sainz’s big chance comes after an impressive first year at McLaren in 2019, finishing sixth in the Drivers’ Championship ahead of Pierre Gasly and Alex Albon, both of whom spent roughly half the season at Red Bull.
He would also claim his first podium in Formula 1 at the Brazilian Grand Prix, inheriting third post-race following a penalty for Lewis Hamilton.
Sainz has signed a two-year deal with Ferrari alongside Charles Leclerc and was grateful to have the opportunity to pull on the famous red overalls.
“I am very happy that I will be driving for Scuderia Ferrari in 2021 and I’m excited about my future with the team,” he said.
“I still have an important year ahead with McLaren Racing and I’m really looking forward to going racing again with them this season.”
Ferrari boss Mattia Binotto added: “I’m pleased to announce that Carlos will join Scuderia Ferrari as from the 2021 championship.
“With five seasons already behind him, Carlos has proved to be very talented and has shown that he has the technical ability and the right attributes to make him an ideal fit with our family.
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“We’ve embarked on a new cycle with the aim of getting back to the top in Formula 1. It will be a long journey, not without its difficulties, especially given the current financial and regulatory situation, which is undergoing a sudden change and will require this challenge to be tackled in a different way to the recent past.
“We believe that a driver pairing with the talent and personality of Charles and Carlos, the youngest in the past 50 years of the Scuderia, will be the best possible combination to help us reach the goals we have set ourselves.”
For some, Sainz may still need to prove himself worthy of such a seat in F1, but for Ferrari, his experience despite his relative youth and cheaper cost made him the ideal candidate to replace Vettel rather than Daniel Ricciardo.
Instead, the Australian has taken Carlos’ seat at McLaren for next year, with an announcement coming shortly before Ferrari.