Carlos Sainz has now revealed what the Ferrari exile is ‘hoping’ for with Audi, having opened up on his offer to join its Formula 1 project and drive for Sauber next season.
The 29-year-old currently remains on the open market after the Scuderia ditched talks about extending his contract beyond 2024. Sainz will leave Ferrari when his current terms expire to make way for Lewis Hamilton in Maranello. The Mercedes hero has signed a multi-year deal.
Sainz is currently enjoying his fourth season for Ferrari and sits fifth in the drivers’ standings through six rounds. He has contested five of the opening events after withdrawing from the Saudi Arabian GP to undergo appendicitis surgery. But he returned to win the Australian GP.
Carlos Sainz ‘hopes’ Audi can challenge in Formula 1 as he weighs up an offer
Seats might open up throughout the Formula 1 field for 2025 but Audi is eager to sign Sainz for Sauber. The Volkswagen Group brand has bought 100% control of the Swiss outfit to join the grid in 2026. Audi will also take Sauber over as a works team and engine manufacturer.
But F1-Insider claims that Audi has set Sainz a deadline to accept its offer to join fellow new recruit Nico Hulkenberg at Sauber. The four rings of Ingolstadt wants the Spaniard to decide if he is willing to accept a multi-year deal over an offer to join Mercedes by the Monaco GP.
READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari
The three-time Grand Prix winner, however, is still undecided over who he wants to race for next season. Yet no matter if Sainz elects to join Audi, he wants the automotive giants to do well in F1. His dad, Carlos Sainz Sr, will also sing Audi’s praises after winning the Dakar Rally.
“My father will certainly always speak well of them, of the project and of how confident he is that Audi will be able to reach the top in Formula 1,” Sainz told Gazzetta dello Sport. “Just look at what has happened in the past with all the sports projects of Volkswagen.
“Every time they competed – no matter whether with the Porsche, Audi or other brands of the group – they managed to win. I think this is an important aspect to consider. But there will be many other factors to keep in mind in my final decision.
“I hope that Audi can fight for victories in F1 in the future because it would mean having another team to fight. It’s an important brand and I wish them the best, although I haven’t decided yet whether there will be a chance for me or not.”
Audi and Mercedes have offered Carlos Sainz a contract for the 2025 Formula 1 season
Audi has offered Sainz a multi-year contract to join Sauber next year, which Gazzetta notes is the most interesting proposal on the 21-time podium finisher’s table. The German brand’s deal has the longest duration and most lucrative wage of the contracts Sainz has received.
READ MORE: Every Formula 1 team’s confirmed driver line-ups for the 2025 season
But Sainz has not replied to Audi as he weighs up the rival offer from Mercedes, who are still looking to replace Hamilton in Brackley. F1-Insider adds the Silver Arrows have offered him a single-year contract for 2025 as Toto Wolff wants to keep the team’s options open for 2026.
Mercedes will include options in Sainz’s contract to extend his terms beyond 2025. But he is pushing for greater long-term security from the off having driven on two-year deals over his time with Ferrari. Yet Sainz also has to consider stepping back to Sauber in 2025 to join Audi.
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