Is the resolution of Carlos Sainz’s F1 future drawing nearer?
Carlos Sainz has signed a contract for the F1 2025 season, it has been claimed, with an announcement potentially set to arrive as soon as this month’s Spanish Grand Prix.
Sainz had been left without a seat for next season after Ferrari announced the signing of seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton on a multi-year deal for F1 2025.
Carlos Sainz reportedly makes F1 2025 decision
Additional reporting by Pablo Hidalgo
Sainz’s remarkable season start, highlighted by his win at the Australian Grand Prix, sparked rumors of potential interest from Mercedes and Red Bull. However, over the past few weeks, Sainz has witnessed those opportunities slowly diminish.
PlanetF1.com reported ahead of last month’s Monaco Grand Prix that Sainz was no longer in contention to replace Hamilton at Mercedes, with the team instead opting to keep tabs on Max Verstappen’s situation at Red Bull.
Earlier this week, Red Bull confirmed that Sergio Perez had put pen to paper on a fresh two-year deal with the current Constructors’ Champions, thus putting an end to any doubts and speculation surrounding the future of the talented Mexican driver.
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Many people believe that Sainz now has two main options: Williams, a customer of Mercedes, and the current Sauber team, which will transform into Audi when the German manufacturer enters Formula 1 in 2026.
According to a report from Spanish publication The Objective, Sainz has allegedly finalized a contract for the upcoming season. The document has been confirmed by a law firm located in Madrid, which is the driver’s hometown.
It is reported that despite the uncertainty surrounding the 29-year-old’s specific destination, all indications point towards Sainz joining Williams for his future endeavors. An announcement regarding this is anticipated to be made before the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona on June 23.
Prior to publication, PlanetF1.com has not been able to verify these claims independently.
Following the announcement of Sainz’s departure from Ferrari, there were strong indications that he would be joining Audi. Helmut Marko, a trusted advisor at Red Bull, disclosed prior to the Chinese Grand Prix that the 29-year-old had been presented with a highly attractive three-year contract offer from the German automaker.
As Sauber remains the sole team yet to secure a point in F1 2024, there are growing concerns about the time it would take for Audi to establish a successful team. In light of this, Sainz has displayed a strong interest in exploring alternative options available in the market.
Last week, news from Germany indicated that Williams had become a desirable choice for Sainz. There were talks of a one-year contract with an additional year option, which could grant him the flexibility to explore other opportunities before the significant F1 regulation changes in 2026.
Williams may still emerge as an attractive choice for F1’s upcoming era, as their engine partners, Mercedes, are reportedly making significant progress in preparing for the rule changes set for 2026. These changes will bring extensive modifications to both the chassis and engine.
In 2014, the Grove-based team experienced a significant improvement due to the introduction of F1’s V6 hybrid engines. They achieved third place in the Constructors’ standings with nine podium finishes, a remarkable achievement considering they had only earned five points in the previous and final season of the V8 era in 2013.
During the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix last month, James Vowles, the team principal of Williams, expressed his intention to finalize their F1 2025 driver lineup in the coming weeks. He also hinted at the possibility of making a significant signing, reflecting the team’s progress under his leadership over the past 18 months.
In his conversation with Sky F1, he questioned, “What steps should we take to establish a solid groundwork for the future?”
In a matter of weeks, when we begin signing, it will be my turn to confidently announce to the world: “This is our current position.”
During an interview with various media outlets, including PlanetF1.com, at the recent Monaco race, Sainz expressed his assurance that a deal will be swiftly finalized once he makes a decision regarding his future.
“I haven’t made a decision yet, and I’m uncertain about whether I’ll be racing next year. I haven’t established any deadlines either.”
As I approach my 30th birthday this year, I recognize the significance of making the right decision for my career. With multiple options available to me, I intend to carefully consider each one to ensure that my next project becomes a success.
Once my decision is made, you can be assured that it will swiftly come to fruition.
“I believe my next [adventure] requires me to assemble all the components I feel are necessary.”
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