Carlos Sainz is facing a significant dilemma regarding his future as several teams are considering him.
Jenson Button has backed Carlos Sainz for looking for the most competitive seat he can in the immediate term for his next move, after he leaves Ferrari at the end of the year.
After the news of Lewis Hamilton joining Scuderia in 2025, Sainz is considered to be in the best shape of his career. However, there are reports suggesting that Sauber, soon to be Audi, has offered him a contract. Sainz has stated that he is exploring all the opportunities available to him, including potential seats at Red Bull and Mercedes for the upcoming season.
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Sauber has officially revealed in Miami that they consider Sainz as their top priority driver for the 2025 season. Additionally, they have already announced the signing of Nico Hulkenberg for the upcoming season. As a result, Sainz, the current Ferrari driver, is now evaluating his options to secure the most favorable seat during the prime of his career.
Both Christian Horner and Toto Wolff have referred to him as a possible contender for their vacant seats next season. Opting for either of these options would provide him with a more competitive opportunity in the immediate future, as opposed to the long-term projects at Sauber and Audi, where the teams would be constructed around him.
The endorsement of 2009 World Champion Button further supports the idea that seeking the optimal seat in the present moment is the correct approach.
Button, speaking to Sky Sports F1 in Miami, acknowledged that the individual in question has been in his career for a considerable time and is the sole winner, besides Max, in the past 23 races. However, Button’s statement became outdated as Lando Norris triumphed, breaking Carlos Sainz’s statistical dominance as the only non-Verstappen victor in nearly a year.
“So I think he has to take risks, but I think waiting it out and maybe getting a Red Bull seat or maybe getting a Mercedes seat is the direction he needs to take.
“He believes waiting for another three or four years to secure a competitive seat at Audi is not worth it, so I believe he is making the correct decision.”
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Sainz himself dismissed rumors that he had missed a deadline to respond to Audi’s alleged multi-year deal offer. He clarified that there is no truth to those claims and he has not made a decision about his future yet.
While his father, Carlos Sainz Sr has recently confirmed a move to Ford for the fourth time in his career, he remains synonymous with Audi for his long-standing success with the brand throughout his career.
Sainz Jr. expressed his admiration for Audi’s motorsport achievements so far, but emphasized that performance has always been a crucial factor in his decision-making process for his next venture.
He said, “Without a doubt, my Dad always speaks highly of Audi, the project, and expresses his confidence that Audi will reach the pinnacle in Formula 1.”
“If you observe the Volkswagen projects closely, you’ll notice that they have consistently emerged victorious in motorsports, be it through Porsche, Audi, or any other division within the Volkswagen group. This remarkable track record of success should be regarded as a significant advantage and deserving of careful consideration.”
“However, my decision encompasses various factors that go beyond just this. I truly wish that Audi can strive for victory in the future, as it would add another strong contender and enhance their prominent brand. I extend my best wishes to them, although I have not determined yet whether that is a possibility for me.”
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