Carlos Sainz’s Formula 1 future has been unclear since his confirmed departure from Ferrari at the end of 2024. Nevertheless, the poker game for the Spaniard’s 2025 cockpit is slowly but surely gaining momentum – albeit to Sainz’s disadvantage. The 29-year-old is increasingly having to look towards the back of the Formula 1 field in his search for a seat for the coming season.
Just this week, Sainz lost a future option with Sergio Perez’s contract extension at Red Bull. However, this was not a surprise for Sainz: “That was something I had known for a while.” In addition to Red Bull, a much-discussed transfer to Mercedes is now also off the table. Instead, Williams and Sauber are currently considered the hottest candidates to sign Sainz, although they are currently only eighth and last in the constructors’ championship.
Sainz on missing out on top cockpit: No frustration
Sainz does not claim to have signed with any of the teams yet – and confirms in passing that the future options of Red Bull and Mercedes are probably off the table: “The only thing I can say is that nothing is set in stone. I have seen reports. That makes me laugh. Because I remember seeing reports three months ago that I had signed for Mercedes and Red Bull. And those places are obviously not going to happen.”
An unfortunate situation for Sainz, who was one of the best-performing drivers at least at the start of the season and who also attracted the attention of the Red Bull bosses after his victory in Australia. However, at least for 2025, the fight for victories is now probably not an option. “There is no real frustration,” says Sainz, nevertheless, and confirms: “There are still a lot of options on the table.”
Sainz cryptic: There is a reason for every decision
“Of course, my goal in Formula 1 is always to win and to be in the best possible position,” admits the three-time GP winner. However, the choice of driver pairing is not only based on sporting reasons. “There are so many things that play a role within the teams. Of course, it is always complicated from the outside to understand the dynamics of Formula 1. But if you look at it from the inside, there is always a reason why someone made a decision like that,” says Sainz.
For Sainz, however, this is nothing new. After all, the son of rally world champion Carlos Sainz Senior has been competing in the premier class since 2015. One thing is clear: The upcoming decision on a cockpit for 2025 is also about a long-term orientation for Sainz. After all, in addition to Audi’s entry into Formula 1 in 2026, the new engine regulations in combination with the new chassis regulations in Formula 1 presented yesterday are also on the agenda.
Sainz: Why the teams’ 2025 performance matters
The balance of power could therefore be shaken up considerably. “2026 will be a lottery,” says Sainz. “It seems impossible for me to predict who will be competitive. Perhaps not being competitive in 2025 or 2026 is seen as a bit dramatic at the moment, but 2026 will be such a turning point that the future may hold something very positive for me.”
At the same time, however, Sainz makes it clear that he does not want to give up on the 2025 season: “2025 is just as important to me as 2026. Why? Because 2026 is a lottery.” The performance in 2025, however, is easier to assess. “That will certainly be important in my decision,” says Sainz. Given the current form, this could be more of a Williams – especially since Sauber recently lagged hopelessly behind the competition in Monaco, especially in qualifying.
Sainz confirms: 2025 cockpit decision is long-term
Regardless of whether Sainz ultimately decides on Williams, Audi-Sauber or perhaps a completely different team, the man from Madrid does not see his 2025 commitment as just a stopover. “I am still firmly convinced that you need a medium to long-term project to be successful in Formula 1. I don’t think you will ever be successful in Formula 1 if you go somewhere for a year to win and then leave again,” Sainz clarifies.
Sainz can at least be sure of the team’s backing with his new team. He would be undisputed at both Williams and Sauber – which has already been apparent in the discussions behind the scenes so far. “Everyone I spoke to made me feel wanted. I had the feeling that people really wanted me on their team and that makes me proud and makes me positive about the future,” reports Sainz.
If Sainz ultimately decides to join the future Audi factory team Sauber, this would mean the departure of the two previous Sauber drivers Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu from Hinwil. Nico Hülkenberg has already been announced as a new Sauber signing. You can read what Bottas and Zhou have to say about their current situation on the driver market in this article: