Sainz after Alonso contract extension: 'Best options still on the table'

Fernando Alonso's contract extension does not affect Carlos Sainz's future. The Ferrari driver confirmed this ahead of the Chinese Grand Prix.

Sainz's Ferrari adventure will end after three seasons. Frederic Vasseur has opted for the Charles Leclerc/Lewis Hamilton line-up for 2025, so the Spaniard has to look for a new employer. The 29-year-old driver's performance so far this season has been very good, with a win in Australia and two podium finishes in Bahrain and Japan.

Aston Martin will continue with Alonso and presumably Lance Stroll next year, and so one potential employer has dropped out for Sainz. Indirectly, the current world number four calls the British employer "not one of his best options" anyway.

Sainz still has plenty of options

"All my best options are still open, which I think is a positive thing," Sainz told Sky Sports and others. "Given the market situation, however, it obviously requires a bit of time. I think it's going to take some time for everyone to make their own mind and their own decisions. But the good options are still open. There’s been barely any progress over the last couple of weeks, so there's nothing really to update you on."

Sainz hopes for himself that there will soon be more clarity on the how and what regarding the silly season. "It gets to a point when the sooner that everything develops, the better, because at the same time, it's not like it's affecting my performances at all this year. But the earlier you take it out of your head, the better. But it requires time, and it requires some decision-making. It's time to let that happen and see how things progress."