F1 News

Sainz blames Euros for lack of decision about his future

Why has Sainz not made a decision on his future? 'Been watching the Euros'

18 July at 15:43
1
  • Matt Gretton
  • Editor-in-Chief

Carlos Sainz is causing somewhat of a backlog in the Formula 1 driver market as everyone waits for him to make his mind up. Ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix, the Spanish driver has jokingly blamed the Euros for the most recent delay.

Sainz lost his dream drive at Ferrari when it was announced that seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton would join the Scuderia from the start of 2025. This kickstarted the driver market earlier than anticipated. Audi soon got involved. Besides Audi (currently Stake F1), Williams and, more recently, Alpine also 'applied' for Sainz in recent months. Mercedes have also dipped in and out.

Why has Sainz not yet made his mind up?

In late June and early July, Formula 1 was in the midst of a triple header. With a lot of attention on the short-term weekend performance, Sainz explained in Silverstone how it was starting to become stressful. Other drivers, including Zhou Guanyu, have expressed a degree of frustration. Some even described Sainz as the cork in the bottle.

After a rest weekend, some might've been hopeful for some movement, but Sainz has bad news. "I've been busy watching the Euros," Sainz joked when asked for an update in a conversation with GPblog and others in Hungary.

But Sainz is well aware of the backlog he is causing. "I'm conscious of it, but at the same time, I don't think it's going to change because it's only the timing that I'm changing. I'm not changing the outcome of anyone, as probably all the times by now have their priorities. This role has taught me to be a bit more on the selfish side and look out for myself and take the decision that I'm going to take. I don't need to rush things," Sainz concluded in Hungary.

Ahead of the Grand Prix in Hungary, Sainz poked fun at Norris for the result in the Euros tournament that saw Spain beat England in the final. Norris and George Russell were present at the final in Germany, but Sainz did not visit the stadium.