Sainz: "Talks with Ferrari already started in the winter of 2019 and 2020"
F1 News
- GPblog.com
In an interview with F1.com, Carlos Sainz said how McLaren reacted to his negotiations with Ferrari. The Spaniard said that he is incredibly proud of the way in which the process was handled.
Last week it was announced that Sainz will take place next to Charles Leclerc at Ferrari from 2021. With this he will replace four times world champion Sebastian Vettel, who is still looking for a new seat for 2021. Daniel Ricciardo will take the place of Sainz at McLaren.
The talks have been going on for a long time
"[I'm] not going to give you an exact date, but I'm going to tell you talks with Ferrari started in the winter between 2019 and 2020", says Sainz. "Believe me, the moment I heard that, I went and asked permission [from] Zak, to go and talk to them in a more serious way, without knowing what Zak's reaction was going to be."
"He immediately came to me and said: 'Look, it's an opportunity, go and talk to them and see what they're about. My dad, cousin, manager took care of the most important bits", Sainz says.
Openness
"There were a few Zoom meetings of course, like everyone, but for me the key of this process has been the clarity and the openness of all parties involved to make it happen", Sainz says.
"And just not having any awkward 'around the back' situations. That makes me incredibly proud and the way it has all been managed makes me feel very happy and very thankful to Zak and his team", ends the Spaniard.