Carlos Sainz does not wish to “wait any longer” to decide which Formula 1 team he will race with in 2025, and hopes to have his future secured in the coming weeks.
The Spaniard has long been considering his options as he prepares to leave Ferrari at the end of the season, and it is expected that his choice has narrowed down between Williams and Sauber for next year, the latter of which will become Audi’s works team a year later.
Long-shot options at Red Bull and Mercedes have dwindled as the former retained Sergio Perez on an apparent 1+1 deal, while the latter team is expected to promote young hopeful Andrea Kimi Antonelli into a race drive for 2025 in place of the Ferrari-bound Lewis Hamilton.
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It was noted by Kevin Magnussen that Sainz has been the “cork in the bottle” for the driver market ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix, and Sainz had earlier stated that he does not wish to have deciding on his future occupying his mind for too much longer.
“The latest is that a decision will be taken very soon. I don’t want to wait any longer,” Sainz said.
“I think it’s getting to a point where it’s obviously taking space out of my head for quite a few weeks and months, and I think it’s obviously time to make a decision.
“I’m still not sure one way or another, it’s still something that I’m discussing with my team and brainstorming.
“It’s been a very hectic few couple of weeks after Canada for me. So I haven’t had time to really sit down and take a decision. And this is what I will target in the next few weeks.”
Logan Sargeant, Williams FW46 battles with Valtteri Bottas, Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber C44
Photo by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
Sainz reckoned that it was “impossible” to make a decision based on his prospects in 2026, remarking that it was something of a “lottery” to try and predict something so soon.
He said that this means the anticipated performance in 2025 has an impact, while also trying to be aware of the teams’ long-term aspirations.
“I think 2026, guessing now in 2024 who’s going to be performing better, it’s almost impossible,” he added.
“I used the term ‘a bit of a lottery’, or a ‘coin toss’ to see who’s going to be quicker in ’26, given that the regulation is so different.
“So 2025 becomes important at that stage if I cannot predict ’26 and I don’t know who’s going to be performing better.
“But it is also the long term. It is…
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