Ferrari and Sainz "have an agreement" over new deal

Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto has confirmed the Scuderia has "an agreement" with Carlos Sainz over a new contract.

Binotto revealed at the end of last year Ferrari would look to negotiate a fresh deal with Sainz following a stellar debut campaign with the team after the Spanish driver finished ahead of team-mate Charles Leclerc.

The situation appeared to be a formality but despite three months since Binotto made his declaration, there has been no announcement.

Following a sensational start to the new season, however, with Leclerc spearheading a Ferrari one-two at the Bahrain Grand Prix for the Scuderia's first win for two-and-a-half years, Sainz is now set to firmly nail his colours to the team's mast.

When asked whether a deal was close, Sainz initially replied: "We are very close."

Binotto then confirmed: "We have an agreement. It is only a matter of translating it onto paper."

The revelation was the culmination of a long-overdue day for Ferrari that has been on old since the 2019 Singapore Grand Prix to savour a victory, a run of 46 races.

After inheriting second following F1 champion Max Verstappen's late retirement, Sainz said: "I feel great. I am particularly happy for the whole team.

"It is massive after two difficult years, to be back and be in a one-two. It shows all the hard work has paid off and we are back in the fight to where Ferrari should be.

"Congratulations to Charles, he drove a really good race and has been on it the whole weekend.

"But to bring home the one-two means a lot to all of us and all the Tifosi. For sure, we need to celebrate because it is a huge day."

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