Formula 1 News: Sainz Poised to Make Decision on Future Team “Very Soon”
Carlos Sainz has revealed that he is on the verge of making a decision on his future Formula 1 team, with concrete interest from Williams and Sauber. The Spaniard’s current Ferrari seat is set to be taken over by seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton, who is joining the team from Mercedes to partner Charles Leclerc next season.
Sainz had initially considered a return to Red Bull, but Sergio Perez‘s contract renewal put an end to those hopes. Mercedes also ruled him out as an option. However, he now has a lucrative proposal on the table from Sauber, which is set to become Audi in 2025. Nico Hulkenberg has already been signed up by the team.
But Williams is also in the running to secure Sainz’s services, with team boss James Vowles having held talks with the driver’s camp. Vowles has made it clear that Sainz is the team’s main target. Speaking on Spanish chat show El Hormiguero, Sainz revealed that he is close to making a decision on his next destination.
“I have my options on the table ready to make a decision and I’m going to make it very soon because I want to get it out the way to focus on the rest of the year with Ferrari,” Sainz said. “There will be time to think about the next team. This year I have a car that allows me to get on the podium and win some races and I want to focus on that.”
Both Williams and Sauber currently occupy the bottom two positions in the Constructors’ Championship, but both teams are undergoing significant changes. Audi is investing heavily in its upcoming Formula 1 venture, while Williams is also undergoing a major revamp. Vowles has made a public pitch to Sainz, highlighting the team’s ambition to return to the top and teasing the arrival of “big names” in the future.
Sainz has emphasized the importance of building a long-term relationship with a team, particularly with the upcoming rule changes in Formula 1.
“I firmly believe that you need a medium to long-term project to be successful in Formula 1,” he said. “I don’t think you will ever be successful if you just go somewhere for a year and then leave again.”
With the 2025 Formula 1 calendar and new regulations on the horizon, Sainz sees this as an opportune moment to make a move.
“2025, 2026, 2027, and 2028 are a good opportunity, right? 2026 will be a lottery. We have now seen the rules. It is impossible to predict who will manage them best. It may be that you will not be competitive in 2025 and 2026. But in 2026, everything will be turned upside down. That could also be a positive surprise,” he concluded.
As Sainz weighs up his options, the Formula 1 paddock eagerly awaits his decision, which could have significant implications for the sport. With the likes of Audi and Williams investing heavily in their Formula 1 projects, the competition is set to intensify in the coming years. One thing is certain, however – Sainz’s next move will be crucial in shaping his future in the sport.
🔗 Source