Mark Webber has praised Ferrari star Carlos Sainz for doing one thing ‘outstandingly’ at the start of the 2024 Formula 1 season despite still being without a drive for 2025.
The 29-year-old is leaving a big impression on Webber at the perfect time whilst he targets a seat on next year’s grid. Ferrari made Sainz seek a new challenge when they signed Lewis Hamilton to a multi-year deal in February and handed the Mercedes ace the Spaniard’s seat.
Sainz was already out of contract at Ferrari after the 2024 season to create an opening for Hamilton. But the Madrid native was in talks with the Maranello outfit regarding a new deal. Now, he must either replace Hamilton at Mercedes or join Red Bull to stay at the front of F1.
Mark Webber loves Ferrari star Carlos Sainz driving ‘with a knife between his teeth’
Sainz is firmly showing Formula 1 teams what he has to offer any potential suitor at the start of his farewell season at Ferrari. The Spaniard has now reached 21 Grand Prix podiums in his F1 career after taking to the rostrum at each race he has started to start the 2024 campaign.
He even won the Australian GP after Max Verstappen retired, with Charles Leclerc unable to attack his Scuderia stablemate. Sainz made the podium at the Bahrain GP and the Japanese GP in third place. He withdrew from the Saudi Arabian GP to undergo appendicitis surgery.
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The way that Sainz is driving in 2024 has also now drawn praise from Webber. He adores the manner in which the three-time Grand Prix winner is fighting his rival drivers. Webber, who won nine of his 217 Grand Prix entries, thinks Sainz is also great when he races aggressively.
Webber has told Speedweek: “Carlos obviously drives with a knife between his teeth and he does that outstandingly.”
Carlos Sainz is in talks with Mercedes amid interest from Audi and Red Bull
Red Bull may have an opening for Sainz with Sergio Perez among the many Formula 1 drivers out of contract. Edd Straw of The Race reports that Red Bull team principal Christian Horner is open to Sainz moving to Milton Keynes. But they are still to decide if they will drop Perez.
Sainz is also in talks with Mercedes about replacing Hamilton in Brackley when the 39-year-old takes his seat at Ferrari. But Formula Uno Analisi Tecnica reports that while Sainz wants to move to Brackley, he is demanding equal terms with George Russell in their negotiations.
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Additionally, Mercedes and Sainz are not on the same page as the Silver Arrows only intend to offer him a one-year contract, plus the option for 2026. But Sainz wants a minimum two-year contract with an option for a third if he is to reject interest from Audi to join Mercedes.
Journalist Joe Saward also reports Audi’s interest in Sainz and notes that the German brand views him as one of its top targets along with Haas star Nico Hulkenberg to drive for Sauber. Audi is also trying to force a quick answer as it looks ahead to taking over the team in 2026.
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