Is it possible for Carlos Sainz to decline an offer from Audi in order to explore possibilities with Red Bull and Mercedes?
According to reports in Spanish media, Carlos Sainz may have already turned down Audi in favour of pursuing a seat elsewhere.
In recent weeks, the Ferrari driver, who is yet to secure a seat on the F1 2025 grid after being replaced by Lewis Hamilton, has been strongly associated with Audi.
Has Carlos Sainz already spurned Audi?
Sainz, known for his exceptional performances at Ferrari, is currently one of the most sought-after drivers in the market. Despite his impressive track record, he has yet to secure a seat for the upcoming season. Speculations have connected him to potential openings at Red Bull, Mercedes, and even Audi, although none of these opportunities have been officially confirmed.
Should Sainz choose to join Audi, the year 2025 is expected to be focused on constructing the Sauber team, preparing for the German manufacturer’s acquisition for the 2026 season. This is because the regulations for both the chassis and power unit will be significantly changed at that time.
Sainz is rumored to have received an offer from Red Bull, where he started his F1 career at Toro Rosso ten years ago. Additionally, he is also being considered as a prospect for Mercedes. With these opportunities in mind, the Spaniard will have to carefully consider various scenarios.
Audi cannot promise immediate success as the team is currently in the process of recruiting and enhancing itself, which is still ongoing and far from finished.
Mercedes and Red Bull are expected to achieve immediate success, but starting in 2026, doubts arise about their ability to master the new regulations. This uncertainty may be greater for Red Bull, considering their lack of experience as an independent power unit manufacturer.
Furthermore, there is a growing worry that Mercedes is shifting their attention towards George Russell and the potential inclusion of the exceptional young talent Kimi Antonelli. Consequently, this raises the possibility that Sainz might only receive a temporary contract offer.
Following months of speculation, Sauber/Audi confirmed Nico Hulkenberg as their driver last week. Spanish media reports suggest that Audi is ready to announce their second driver, but it is unlikely to be Sainz.
Antonio Lobato, a reputable journalist closely connected to the Sainz camp, reports that despite Audi’s higher monetary bid compared to others, Sainz has opted to decline their offer.
In addition, Lobato stated that Sainz has failed to meet Audi’s deadline for deciding whether to join their team, opting instead to take a chance on securing a seat with top contenders Red Bull or Mercedes. It is important to note that neither of these options come with a guarantee.
“He decided not to accept the offer and miss the deadline he had to respond,” Lobato wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
“Accepting it would have given him peace of mind, in addition to a good financial offer, but he preferred to take the risk to see if he finds a place in a more competitive team.
“Main options: Red Bull if there is movement (it seems there is) and Mercedes. They’re talking, but there’s nothing yet. Mercedes wants Verstappen who is, without a doubt, the key piece of this puzzle.”
Nevertheless, the possibility of Audi and Sainz joining forces is not completely eliminated. Our sources at PlanetF1.com have revealed that Audi has not made any official statement regarding their second driver, and the reported deadline set for Sainz is merely a result of media conjecture. This implies that there is still a chance for Sainz to join Audi, as he cannot have missed a deadline that was never established.
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Carlos Sainz: The good options are still open
Sainz and his manager, Carlos Onoro Sainz, have expressed their willingness to negotiate with almost anyone currently. Onoro Sainz mentioned that there are a few potential opportunities being considered.
During his interview with the F1 Nation podcast, he expressed that the current period of time is quite fascinating.
Lately, the driver market has been quite unpredictable, and I anticipate that we will witness some changes in the coming weeks. However, currently, the situation remains uncertain, with ongoing juggling and negotiations.
When questioned about the possibility of Formula 1 receiving an announcement prior to the upcoming race in Miami, he adamantly responded, “Absolutely not! Rest assured, there’s no need to fret between China and Miami. You can sleep soundly!”
“We won’t be sharing any major news, at least not from our end. We are still in the game, so only time will tell.”
Sainz, the three-time Grand Prix winner, remained unfazed by Fernando Alonso’s signing with Aston Martin as he revealed that he still had plenty of great options available. He acknowledged that this was a positive situation, although it would take some time considering the current market conditions.
In my opinion, it will take a while for everyone to form their own opinions and make independent choices, but the favorable possibilities are still available.
He further stated, “Clearly, reaching a point where everything progresses sooner would be ideal. However, it’s worth noting that my performances this year remain unaffected.”
However, the sooner you remove this from your mind and the current situation, the more beneficial it will be. It does take time and necessitates some decision-making, so it is crucial to allow that process to unfold now and observe how things develop.
There is a lot of attention on Max Verstappen and his team in the driver market, as rumors circulate about him potentially leaving Red Bull to join Mercedes.
If Verstappen decides to switch teams in 2026, it is unlikely that Sainz will join Brackley. The team is likely to offer George Russell a one-year contract alongside Verstappen, reducing the chances of Sainz joining them.
Should Verstappen decide to depart from Red Bull and with the uncertainty surrounding Sergio Perez’s future, Sainz seems to be a probable candidate for a seat at Milton Keynes. Both Christian Horner and Helmut Marko have openly expressed their admiration for Sainz’s impressive accomplishments throughout the last year.
Nevertheless, if Sainz rejects Audi as reported, he puts himself in a vulnerable position. If the opportunity with Audi falls through, Sainz may soon run out of alternatives unless Verstappen and Red Bull’s connection becomes more stable.
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