Carlos Sainz is expected to be announced as Charles Leclerc's 2021 teammate at Ferrari "in the next 48 hours" according to Italian media.
The decision by the Scuderia and Sebastian Vettel to part ways at the end of the season has sent the F1 driver's market into overdrive, with a raft of speculation surrounding the identity of the man that will replace the German at the House of Maranello.
Sainz and Renault's Daniel Ricciardo have been cited as the most probable candidates to fill Vettel's coveted seat. But according to the Italian edition of Motorsport.com, the McLaren charger is on the verge of committing to Ferrari, with a deal expected to be confirmed this week.
Sainz's two-year contract with McLaren expires at the end of this season and while the Woking-based outfit has indicated its desire to keep the Spaniard onboard, the 25-year-old knows that an opportunity to move to Ferrari is a chance that can't be dismissed.
The Scuderia's alleged decision to pair Leclerc with Sainz might be partially rooted in financial considerations: in addition to his indisputable talent, the Spaniard - contrary to Ricciardo - isn't yet among the 8-figure club in F1 that includes the handful of drivers that earn more than $10m a year.
Ricciardo would likely compromise on the current $17m annual retainer he collects from Renault, but a pay cut that would go under the $10m level is probably a no-go for the Aussie.
Amid the global coronavirus crisis and F1's economic downturn, Ferrari chief executive Louis Camilleri is most certainly looking to save costs.
Sainz graduated to F1 in 2015 with Toro Rosso and fared well opposite Max Verstappen. But the Spaniard officially left the Red Bull family at the end of 2018 after he was loaned by the energy drink company to Renault.
Sainz then moved to McLaren for 2019, contributing 96 points to the team's world championship tally and achieving his maiden podium in F1 at Interlagos at the end of last year.
Is Sainz is indeed confirmed at Ferrari sooner rather than later, the focus will switch to who may fill his seat alongside Lando Norris.
Could Vettel be tempted to remain in F1 with the papaya squad? Or will Ricciardo abandon Renault and start over at Woking?
It's a whirlwind of speculation out there, and the season hasn't even started yet!
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