Carlos S🧜ainz says being unable to negotiate his Ferrari Formula 1 contract face to face was a “strange” experi⭕ence. 

Sainz was announced as Sebastian Vettel’s successor at Ferrari last week, witꦡh the Spaniard signing a two-year deal to join the Scuderia from McLaren in 2021. Four-time world champion Vettel will leave the team upon the expiry of his current contract at the end of the year. 

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, discussions between Sainz and Ferrari were 𝓀carried o𓃲ut contact-free via video calls or over the phone.

"It has been a very special week, negotiating without ever see✨i🔯ng each other is a strange thing,” Sainz told Sky Italia.

“I was at home with my father and in constant contact with my agent and in t🦋he end we did quite well.”

Sainz also paid thanks to McLaren and insisted his full focus remains on the upcoming 2020 season, w☂hich will mark his second and final year with the Woki🍃ng outfit before he switches to Maranello. 

"If Ferrari's offer has arrived I have to thank McLaren and the whole team for wh☂at they have done for me, now I look forward to seeing them in person to thank them,” he said.

"I want to go back to Woking and sta✱rt worki🦹ng again. I thought that after my announcement someone could get sick and instead I received many messages of affection and esteem.

“I want to repay everything and I know that here in Spain they are already thinkin𓆏g about 2021 to see me behind the wheel of Ferrari fighting for podiums and victories.

“But now what I wꦚant to do is put Ferrari in the drawer for a moment and think only of Mc🎶Laren.”