Carlos Sainz lined up to replace Sebastian Vettel at Ferrari: reports

Carlos Sainz has emerged in pole position to replace Sebastian Vettel at Ferrari next season, according to reports. Vettel anunced on Tuesday he was quitting Italian Formula One team, triggering intense speculation as to who would be offered dream drive alongside Charles Leclerc in 2021. And it is Spaniard Sainz who looks set to become German's successor, according to Motorsport.com and Autosport.

Sainz lined up to replace Vettel 

Talks are apparently ongoing between McLaren driver and Ferrari, with an anuncement expected this week. BBC suggest that Daniel Ricciardo, who is out of contract with Renault at end of this season, will move to McLaren to fill vacant seat left by Sainz's switch to Maranello. Four-time world champion Vettel, outshone by Leclerc last season, is quitting Ferrari after talks over a new contract broke down.

It was widely reported Ferrari were offering 32-year-old a one-year extension at a significantly-reduced salary. Sainz, whose far, also Carlos, is a two-time world rally champion, has previously driven for Red Bull's feeder team Torro Rosso and Renault before impressing with McLaren last season. 25-year-old secured once all-conquering British team's first podium place in almost six years in Brazil last year.

Signing Sainz will end any lingering speculation about six-time champion Lewis Hamilton leaving Mercedes for Ferrari. After first 10 races of coronavirus-hit 2020 were eir cancelled or postponed, Formula One hopes to open its season in Austria with back-to-back races on July 5 and 12. 

Im credits: AP