F1 News
Audi or Mercedes for Sainz? "Must pick the right destination"
- Ludo van Denderen
Time and again, Carlos Sainz told us he wanted clarity on his future before the start of the 2024 season. The Spaniard was actually expecting to renew his commitment with Ferrari - preferably for several years - but Lewis Hamilton threw a spanner in the works. In the off-season, the Brit announced that he would race for the Scuderia in 2025, forcing Sainz to look for a new employer.
Sainz himself has already ruled out a move to Red Bull Racing, but there seem to be plenty of options for the two-time Grand Prix winner. Perhaps Mercedes see him as the dream successor to Hamilton. Anyway, it is no secret that Audi - currently known as Stake F1 - have Sainz high on their wish list.
Sainz realises it will be a 'longer process'
However, the driver is in no hurry to make a choice. "As much as I said that I wanted to leave my future sorted before the first race, I think now these things and the scenario have changed quite a bit, as you can imagine," Sainz told media, including GPblog. "So I think it is going to be probably a longer process. I have the most important three or four years of my career ahead of me, where I want to make sure that I am in the right place at the right time. I want to make sure I pick the right next destination for me."
Sainz stated that he will list all options, listen to all offers and only then make a sound decision. At the same time, he also needs to focus on a final season with Ferrari. "I think it's completely possible to separate one thing and the other. I have a good management team that also will take care of that. So my full focus will be Bahrain this year. I'm going to start the season as strong as I can, putting all my effort in being quick, straight from the goal, and the other thing will sort itself out as time goes by."