McLaren is reportedly fighting to hold on to Carlos Sainz, responding to Ferrari's courtship of the Spaniard with a counteroffer submitted to its driver.
Sainz move to the House of Maranello following the announcement of Sebastian Vettel's departure from the Scuderia is on the verge of being completed according to Italian media, while Renault's Daniel Ricciardo - another prospective candidate for the Ferrari seat - is rumored to be on his way to Woking for 2021.
But according to Spain's Marca, McLaren is trying its best to retain Sainz while the 25-year-old has allegedly accepted to give his current employer a chance to counter the Scuderia's offer, estimated to be worth around $7 million for a two-year deal.
However, money might not cut it for Sainz given the luring attraction of racing red and joining Ferrari's prestigious history.
"There are still some loose ends, but everything is on the right track. You have to be patient," said a source close to the Spaniard, quoted by Marca.
In Italy, Ferrari vice-chairman Piero Ferrari suggested that Vettel's replacement could be a young driver "with a few years of experience", a description that corresponds exactly to Sainz.
“It is correct to support Leclerc because he is a very talented, intelligent young man who grew up in our Ferrari Academy," Ferrari told Italian agency ANSA.
"Support another young man? I would definitely like to do it, but Ferrari is not the place for a young man coming from Formula 2.
"Perhaps a young man who already has a few years of experience would be much better."
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