“I still don’t know where I will ride”, Carlos Sainz in the dark with a view to 2025

Winner of last year's Singapore Grand Prix and the only man to falter Red Bull in 2023, Carlos Sainz had the good idea to do it again in Australia this year, taking advantage of the setbacks of Max Verstappen and Sergio Pérez's lack of pace to win again. A major performance hailed by the entire paddock, and which had the gift of putting him back at the center of the game with regard to the transfer window with a view to 2025, the Spaniard having been sacrificed by Ferrari for the next seasons in order to make room for Lewis Hamilton.

The Madrilenian may well have proven his worth on the track in recent months, but he has clearly not yet found a base for the coming seasons. In any case, this is what he shouted to say in China, in an interview given to our colleagues at SkySports. “Honestly, unfortunately I have no idea where I will be next yearhe hammered. It is true that we are talking with many teams. I just have to stay focused on what I'm doing, prove to myself and everyone that when I'm given a fast car, I maximize what I'm given and I'm up to it."

Carlos Sainz, heading to Mercedes?

However, in recent days, persistent rumors coming mainly from Italy have reported a mutual interest between him and Mercedes. Ferrari and McLaren being complete for the next few years, the Spaniard has in any case little other choice than to plan for Red Bull or Mercedes for the future, if he wishes to be competitive from 2025. He would see himself at Milton Keynes, even against Max Verstappen, but Checo Pérez made an honorable start to the season and his collaboration with the Dutchman at Toro Rosso in 2015 created sparks to the point that a deleterious climate was established internally. Not sure that Red Bull wants to reproduce the pattern.

Regarding Mercedes, Gazzetta dello Sport reported that the son of the double world rally champion would be on pole to replace Lewis Hamilton. The crux of the negotiations currently concerns mainly the duration of the contract. Carlos Sainz, who has never signed long deals in F1, thinks he deserves to sign several seasons, and would obviously like a two-year commitment plus an optional season. The problem ? This is because Mercedes would like to be more conservative, no doubt because of the plans it has for its Italian nugget Andrea Kimi Antonelli, currently in F2 but who drove for the first time in an F1 in recent days. A year plus one as an option would obviously be more desired by the German brand according to these same sources.

A weekend of friends, cycling, tennis… and focaccia 😋 pic.twitter.com/xymLLb3MrN

- Carlos Sainz (@ Carlossainz55) April 15, 2024

In this context, both camps seem to be playing for time, aware that it is only April. Carlos Sainz knows that he is also on Audi's shelves for 2026, and the Germans are also trying to put pressure in the form of ultimatums to sign their drivers as quickly as possible, and thus prevent them from rush to the competition. The problem is that the German manufacturer is not in a strong position. In view of the difficult results of the Sauber team which would promise a difficult 2025 season for those who join Hinwil from next year, and the risk that joining a new manufacturer and engine manufacturer whose level we do not know, it may be difficult to plan with the brand with the rings.

The Spaniard, for his part, plays the patience card and ensures that he is the same driver as last year, simply boosted by a car allowing him to put himself more in the spotlight. “The start of the season was very good, he congratulated himself. It’s true that with this car, we can shine a little more; with last year's car I had similar performances to this year, but we couldn't shine. It was a much more difficult car to drive in 2023, which deteriorated more in terms of tires, in the race we had to look backwards, but this year we look forward, we overtake and that allows us to shine a bit more. I’m going to keep pushing!”

If he continues to evolve at this level of performance, there is no doubt that the Iberian will end up getting the contract he wants. “I think it also depends on others… other teams, what they choose to do”, he commented. “They know I’m available, so let’s see what happens!” A message which seems directly aimed at Mercedes and Red Bull, expectantly at the start of the season. The Spaniard therefore takes the risk of waiting.

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