In the high-stakes world of Formula 1, every move and conversation can fuel speculation, and that’s exactly what happened when key figures from Carlos Sainz’s camp were seen leaving the Williams motorhome at Spa last Friday.
Carlos Sainz, currently questioning his future with Ferrari, finds himself at the center of swirling rumors as his father, Carlos Sainz Senior, and his manager, Carlos Onoro, were observed departing the Williams motorhome. This sighting has sparked talks of a possible move to Williams, a team reportedly eager to secure the services of the Spanish driver for the upcoming season.
Despite Williams’ interest, an offer that seemed promising was suddenly overshadowed by Alpine’s involvement. Flavio Briatore, an Alpine special advisor, hinted at Sainz’s availability earlier in the month, expressing enthusiasm for having him on board. He stated, “Incredibly he is still free, we are all willing to have him on the team and we will do what we can.” This statement added to the fervor surrounding Sainz’s next career move.
The speculation doesn’t end with Williams and Alpine. Sainz is also linked to Sauber, which is set to rebrand as Audi in 2026. Mercedes and Red Bull have not entirely ruled out the possibility of Sainz joining their ranks either, making his decision all the more intriguing.
However, Sainz has made it clear that his priority is to drive a championship-winning car. During media interactions in Spa, he acknowledged that the chance of joining such a team next year is “small,” but emphasized that it remains his primary goal. “My best option for next year would be a championship-winning car, which has been my number one priority since these talks about my future have happened,” he shared. “And the likelihood of that, we all know that is small, but that’s always been my target. And if that doesn’t happen, I’ll choose what’s best for my near future, for sure.”
While Sainz remains tight-lipped about any imminent decisions, his non-committal responses keep fans and the media guessing. When asked whether any announcements could be expected soon, he playfully dodged, “Do you honestly think I’m going to answer that question? After all this time, I’m now going to tell you if I’m going to decide tomorrow or in five days or before the summer break? I cannot honestly give you the answer, and I cannot answer that question. It’s as simple as that. I don’t know. I don’t know if it’s going to be before or after the summer break. I don’t know.”
As Carlos Sainz navigates this pivotal moment in his career, the Formula 1 world watches closely. His next move could have significant implications for the 2024 season, not just for him but for the teams vying for his talent. Whether he ends up at Williams, Alpine, or elsewhere, the only certainty is that the decision will be highly anticipated.