Sainz Jr replaces Vettel at Ferrari in 2021

The suspense hardly lasted. While Sebastian Vettel and Ferrari announced the end of their union Tuesday, May 13, Team has already announced the identity of the German's replacement. It will be about Carlos Sainz Jr, as of 2021. The son of the two-time world rally champion (WRC) will make common cause with Charles Leclerc next season, for what will be the Scuderia's most youthful duo in half a century.

BREAKING: Carlos Sainz joins Ferrari for 2021#F1 pic.twitter.com/eMy1PGOTce

— Formula 1 (@F1) May 14, 2020

This announcement comes after the formalization of the passage of Daniel Ricciardo in the Woking firm with a view to 2021. 

“I look forward to living my future with Scuderia Ferrari, said the Madrilenian. I still have an important year ahead with McLaren and I can't wait to drive for this team this season. »

Mattia binotto, main team of the Reds, explains this strategic move: “We are starting a new cycle with the ambition of returning to the top. It will be a long road, strewn with pitfallss, especially in view of the economic and regulatory situation, which is currently changing. We will have to meet this challenge differently. »

For Carlos Sainz Jr, this promotion is the last stone in a perfectly managed rise. The Madrilenian debuted in Formula BMW in 2010 after having scoured the tracks of karting, while receiving the support of Red Bull Junior Team. 

He began to distinguish himself during his time in Formula Renault 2.0 Eurocup in 2011, with an honorary rank of vice-champion, and winner of the North European Cup. The passage into Formula 3 went less well the following year (5th in the European Championship) and he even failed to move into the box of fallen hopes in 2013 (10th in the GP3 Series).

Salvation will come from Formula Renault 3.5 in 2014. At the end of a battle with Pierre Gasly (Arden), the Spaniard wins with seven victories on the clock for the French team Dams. The doors to the premier category are finally opening, in the Red Bull training team, Toro Rosso. 

Next to the juvenile Max Verstappen, Carlos Sainz Jr is a less salesy driver for the media, more discreet but also competent. 15th in 2015, 12th in 2016, he continued his progression in 2017 with a ninth final place at the end of last four Grands Prix contested on behalf of Renault.

On loan from Red Bull, Carlos Sainz Jr continues to wear the yellow and black cap in 2018. His future, however, is compromised during the summer break when the Losange announces the arrival of the star Daniel Ricciardo and the renewal of the contract Nico Hulkenberg. 

Forced to urgently look elsewhere, he landed on his feet by signing a contract with McLaren, then at the bottom of the bucket. The British structure is progressing significantly in 2019, allowing Carlos Sainz Jr to reveal himself. Very regularly “best of the others” behind the top teams (Mercedes, Ferrari, Red Bull), he took advantage of the confusion of the last laps at Brazil to sign its first podium in F1 (3rd). 

Sixth at the end of this campaign, his maturity (102 starts) and his speed already made him a player to watch even before the start of the 2020 season.