Carlos Sainz no longer appears to be an option for Aston Martin after Fernando Alonso signed a new contract with the team. Alonso’s extension will keep him at the British team until at least the end of 2026.
Journalist Andrew Benson has already reported that team owner Lawrence Stroll won’t fire his son Lance to make room for Sainz. The Spaniard is currently without a drive for the 2025 season after Ferrari let him go to sign Lewis Hamilton.
But speaking on his YouTube channel, BBC F1 pundit Marc Priestley raised an ‘interesting’ theory about Sainz’s future. The 29-year-old must decide whether to hold out for a top offer or secure his spot on the grid with a team lower down the grid.
According to Lawrence Barretto, the likeliest destinations for the three-time race-winner after Aston’s announcement are Sauber and Williams. The former, of course, will become Audi in 2026 following a takeover.
Sainz has apparently been in talks with Mercedes, themselves looking for a replacement for Hamilton, but the two parties disagree over the length of the deal. Red Bull director Helmut Marko, meanwhile, admits they ‘have to’ consider making a move.
Marc Priestley shares Carlos Sainz 2025 theory
Priestley reckons that Stroll senior could actually decide to sell up, which may have ramifications for his son’s future. There has been speculation that title sponsors Aramco are eyeing a takeover.
He also floated the idea that former Williams driver Stroll could be deployed to another series. Alongside F1, Aston Martin also feature in the World Endurance Championship.
“Here’s another little thought on Aston Martin,” Priestley said. “What about if the big picture at Aston Martin is that, ultimately, Lawrence Stroll wants to sell that team?
“And what if he’s got a plan to effectively move his son, Lance Stroll, off the F1 programme, potentially onto an Aston Martin sportscar programme, giving way to bring Carlos Sainz in alongside Fernando Alonso for the next couple of years. That would be an interesting prospect.”
Lance Stroll contract details at Aston Martin
Stroll is out of contract at the end of the season but, thanks to his family ties, he may not be in the same precarious position as many of the other drivers in a similar situation. According to Spotrac, he earns around £46k-a-week under his current deal.
The 25-year-old has found himself firmly in Alonso’s shadow since the two-time world champion joined the team in 2023. Last year, he finished six places and 132 points behind him in the standings.
And we’ve largely seen more of the same at the start of the 2024 campaign. Alonso is already 15 points ahead, having come home sixth in Japan as his teammate failed to score points.
Colleague Pedro de la Rosa has urged him to banish any thoughts of stepping away from F1 because Aston are on a positive trajectory. But Ted Kravitz spotted him looking dejected following qualifying in Suzuka, and journalist Joe Saward feels he lacks motivation.
The post ‘Interesting’: F1 pundit suggests Carlos Sainz could join team in 2025 with 25-year-old moved into sportscars appeared first on F1 Oversteer.