Carlos Sainz is at a crossroads in his F1 career, with neither Mercedes nor Red Bull showing interest in signing him for 2025. After being dropped by Ferrari in favor of Lewis Hamilton, Sainz has been showcasing his skills in the first eight races of the season to secure his future in F1.
Despite impressive performances early in the season, including three podium finishes and a victory at the Australian Grand Prix shortly after an appendectomy, interest from top teams Mercedes and Red Bull has waned. Toto Wolff and Helmut Marko initially noted his achievements, but the attention has since quieted down.
Joe Saward, a respected F1 journalist, highlighted that Mercedes is likely to promote their junior driver, Kimi Antonelli, while Red Bull seems content with Sergio Perez, who maintains team harmony with Max Verstappen. Saward mentioned, ‘Ironically if he crashes and Sainz helps Ferrari gets closer in the Constructors’ Championship, it might help Carlos get a seat at Red Bull, but that is pretty unlikely.’
Given the current landscape, Williams appears to be the most sensible option for Sainz. The Grove-based team, although struggling to score points, boasts a Mercedes engine, which puts them ahead of Audi, another team linked to Sainz. Audi’s potential competitiveness is questioned due to internal politics and the current state of the Sauber team, making Williams a more attractive choice.
Saward suggests that Williams could offer Sainz a two-year deal until the end of 2026, aligning with the introduction of new engines, with the possibility of extending the contract based on performance. ‘This means that Sainz’s best sensible choice would have to be Williams because the team will pay him the same as Audi and is on the way up, albeit not as rapidly as they would like,’ he observed. An announcement regarding Sainz’s future could be expected as early as the Spanish Grand Prix next month.
With limited options at top-tier teams, Carlos Sainz’s best bet for 2025 lies with Williams, a team with potential and a solid engine partnership with Mercedes. A decision could be forthcoming soon, marking a significant turn in Sainz’s F1 career.
Source: Planetf1
