Sainz hasn't signed on at Ferrari as Leclerc's wingman

Ferrari 2021 recruit Carlos Sainz dismisses gossip that he will race at the Scuderia next season as the team's number two driver.

Sainz will transfer from McLaren to Maranello at the end of the year, the ambitious Spaniard replacing four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel at the Italian outfit.

However, suggestions that the 25-year-old will be supporting the efforts of Leclerc are totally unfounded according to Ferrari.

• Leclerc: 'Sainz will be a terrific challenge for me'

"No, I haven’t signed anything that says I’m the second driver," Sainz told Radio Marca.

"In my contract it says, as in all the contracts I have signed, that the team is above the driver, but it does not say anything about second place or supporting anyone."

Indeed, Leclerc himself has also denied he'll be the Scuderia's number 1 driver in 2021, with the Monegasque expecting his future teammate to give him more than a run for his money next season.

However, one will remember that Ferrari giving drivers equal status led to multiple flash points in 2019 between Leclerc and Vettel.

But Sainz says he'll trust his own judgment when it comes to intra-team rivalry.

"What I know is that I will give everything for Ferrari and I will give everything they need, especially to try to win," Sainz added. "I don’t care about the colour of the car.

"I treat all drivers equally, we are all rivals and we have to go for it. If there is a complicated situation, I would make the right decision, don’t worry."

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