After his successful first season with the Scuderia in 2021 – where he edged teammate Charles Leclerc in the drivers' standings and took four podiums – a quick extension to his initial two-year deal with the Italian team was expected.
Team boss Mattia Binotto said at the end of the 2021 campaign that discussions between the two sides would commence during the winter break, with Sainz confirming he was "in the middle of the discussion" at the launch of Ferrari's F1-75 car.
