Listen to this article 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. He then added that things were “extremely close – nearly there” after the Bahrain season opener, where he helped the team score a 1-2, with Leclerc winning. At the same time, Binotto said “we found an agreement – it’s only a matter to translate it into paper”, but reports emanating from Germany last week suggested the two sides were having trouble agreeing to the exact nature of the two-year extension Sainz wanted – if it would be a straight deal for that length or if the tea …