The Japanese Grand Prix was another positive race for Ferrari and put Carlos Sainz back in the shop window with his future still up in the air, and Damon Hill has been discussing his next move.
The Spaniard started fourth after a strong qualifying performance and Ferrari nailed his strategy to make sure he finished on the podium for the third time in 2024.
Speaking on Sky Sports F1 after the race, Damon Hill gave his opinion on the Spaniard’s future.
Damon Hill shares thoughts on Carlos Sainz’s future after Japanese Grand Prix
The 2024 driver’s market is going to be the focus for many drivers, teams and fans this year, but for a couple of hours on Sunday morning, racing took priority.
The race only lasted a few corners before the red flag was out after a collision between Daniel Ricciardo and Alex Albon.
It was a disaster for both drivers who were under pressure for very different reasons but gave the rest of the grid a chance to reset.
It meant Carlos Sainz had another opportunity to pass Lando Norris into turn one after the Brit fended him off the first time around.
In the end, Sainz didn’t have to worry about the McLaren with his team more preoccupied with what Mercedes were doing behind them.
Charles Leclerc drove a brilliant race but couldn’t quite do enough to keep the Spaniard behind him for the last podium position.
Off the back of a brilliant Japanese Grand Prix, Damon Hill was discussing Sainz’s future with the 29-year-old still hoping to secure a new contract elsewhere after losing his Ferrari seat to Lewis Hamilton.
READ MORE: Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz’s life outside F1 from full name, girlfriend and height
Damon Hill tells Carlos Sainz to avoid an ‘absolute tragedy’
Asked what would be the optimum decision for Sainz on where he drives next year, Hill said: “I think it would be an absolute tragedy if Carlos did not find himself in a front-running team next year.
“He deserves to be in a top team and running at the front.”
Hill was urged to share which team he could end up at and added: “It depends on what’s available!
“Mercedes is the obvious one, I mean Red Bull, I can’t see how that’s going to work with Max [Verstappen] there.
“The team is run by the Verstappen family, isn’t it? It’s basically their team, I can’t see how they’re going to allow anyone unless he’s prepared to be a good number two, but then Checo’s [Perez] doing a very good job there doing that role as well now.”
Where could Carlos Sainz end up in 2025?
After another strong performance in the Japanese Grand Prix, Sainz will have plenty of options including the two discussed by Hill for his future.
Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko believes that Red Bull have to consider Sainz as a potential replacement for Sergio Perez.
However, the Mexican did very well in Japan and secured a third one-two for Red Bull this season.
It doesn’t sound like Mercedes are going to end up being Sainz’s next destination which is a surprise given how quick he’s been this year.
Williams have previously spoken to Sainz’s management team although they’re still without a point in 2024 and that isn’t going to appeal to the 29-year-old.
He wants his future sorted very quickly and that doesn’t fit in with what Red Bull want to do ahead of 2025.
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