Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff made a cryptic prediction about the Formula 1 driver’s market ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix.
More than half of the grid are out of contract ahead of the 2025 season and according to Wolff, the pieces will start to fall into place sooner rather than later.
Speaking on the Formula 1 Post-Race Show, journalist Will Buxton believes he knows who the Austrian is talking about.
Asked about who could replace Lewis Hamilton at his team next season, Wolff said, via Planet F1: “We haven’t taken the decision yet and it’s not something that we plan to do in the next few weeks.
“The driver market is very dynamic. Some of the really good guys, they’re about to sign for some of the other teams.”
Wolff suggests that one of Mercedes’s rivals is about to make a decision that will impact their line-up and potentially the rest of the grid.
After a winter of stability where all 20 drivers retained their seats, the sport is set for its biggest shake-up in years.
And Will Buxton believes that Toto Wolff was referring to Ferrari star Carlos Sainz.
The 29-year-old is the highest-profile free agent and will likely shape how the grid looks for 2025 and beyond.
READ MORE: Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz’s life outside F1 from full name, girlfriend and height
Will Buxton believes Carlos Sainz was Toto Wolff’s mystery driver
With every race that passes, Carlos Sainz improves his chances of earning a top seat on the grid.
Wolff’s statement suggests that the Spaniard is unlikely to be driving alongside George Russell next season.
The likes of Andrea Kimi Antonelli and potentially even Fernando Alonso might be ahead of him in their thinking.
Christian Horner is a fan of the 29-year-old with Sergio Perez’s contract set to expire at the end of the current campaign.
Aston Martin are also keen, while Sauber would love Sainz to lead their project when they become Audi.
Therefore, Buxton believes Sainz is the man Wolff was talking about when he suggested that the driver’s market is about to burst into action.
READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Mercedes AMG F1 Team from team principal to lineage
Carlos Sainz’s future one of the key talking points after the Japanese Grand Prix
Talking about Sainz’s performance at Suzuka, Buxton said: “As we were saying in the pre-race show, every weekend it’s another phenomenal line in that CV that you’re taking to potential team bosses and saying, that’s me.”
Commentator Alex Jacques added: “He’s doing the deal right about now, isn’t he? He’s got the win, he’s on the podium every single race he’s started this year.”
Buxton replied: “It was Toto [Wolff] who said earlier in the weekend, [that] he thinks that a major driver move will be signed in the next couple of weeks.
“I would hazard a guess that it’s going to be Carlos [Sainz].”
Finally, Jacques agreed: “I think you’re right.”
Karun Chandhok provided his verdict on whether he thinks Sainz should join Wolff at Mercedes or Christian Horner at Red Bull, although Buxton has already shared where he thinks he’ll end up.
Damon Hill has also talked about the 29-year-old next move and believes he needs to avoid an ‘absolute tragedy’.
Red Bull senior advisor Helmut Marko believes the team ‘have to consider’ Sainz, but Red Bull are said to want to take their time when deciding on their 2025 line-up, meaning it’s unlikely to be them.
At the end of the day, whoever does secure his signature is hiring one of the best drivers on the grid.
The post ‘Hazard a guess’: Will Buxton believes 29-year-old is the driver Toto Wolff thinks will make ‘major’ move soon appeared first on F1 Oversteer.