Carlos Sainz at the center of the market
In a couple of weeks, Carlos Sainz’s future could be clearer. The Ferrari driver, fresh winner of the Australian Grand Prix at the Albert Park circuit, is the most coveted piece on the driver market. The combination of his lack of renewal with the Maranello team and his recent outstanding performances make him currently the most appealing name on the grid for the 2025 Formula One season. The Spanish driver is effectively the main piece in the domino effect involving all other seats, with the only wildcard being the potential sensational departure of Max Verstappen from Red Bull. However, while Max Verstappen’s possible contract exit is still to be concretely verified, Carlos Sainz’s availability as a free agent is certain and immediate.
Many top candidates and the Audi option
It’s no coincidence that #55 is linked with all the main teams on the grid, from Red Bull (as Sergio Perez’s contract expires), to Mercedes (as a successor to Lewis Hamilton), to Aston Martin (in case of a non-renewal by fellow countryman Fernando Alonso). But Audi is also heavily targeting Carlos Sainz, which as is well known, will officially debut in Formula 1 in 2026.
The Four Rings brand would like to define its driver lineup next year, so as to start ‘preparing’ the ground for its first ‘actual’ season. The ties between Carlos Sainz and the Sauber-Audi project are many: first of all, the relationship between father Carlos Sr. and the Ingolstadt company, with which the two-time World Rally Champion won this year’s Dakar. Then, filling the role of CEO of Sauber is Andreas Seidl, who was the team principal of McLaren during Carlos Sainz’s stay at the Woking team.
Andreas Seidl’s ultimatum: a decision within two weeks
Andreas Seidl himself would be very interested in securing Carlos Sainz’s services for 2025. However, according to media in his country, the German manager is eager to define the future of the team in terms of lineup and has set a deadline for mid-April by which the Spaniard must decide whether he is in or out of the project. “Andreas Seidl wants certainty in planning,” emphasized the newspaper Bild. The website Auto Motor und Sport also indicated that in Hinwil, a response from Carlos Sainz is expected within two weeks. Alongside the current Ferrari driver, Audi would like to field German Nico Hulkenberg, whose contract with Haas expires at the end of 2024. If the Spaniard is not convinced by the Audi project – which will likely need at least a few seasons to hope to be able to fight for race wins, he can still look elsewhere, confident of finding many doors still open in top-tier teams.
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