Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz has an important decision to make about his future that will have a large ripple effect up and down the Formula 1 paddock.
The 29-year-old Spaniard knows he’s being replaced by Lewis Hamilton at the end of the season with his fate sealed before the 2024 season even began.
In an interview with DAZN, former F1 race winner Giancarlo Fisichella has given his verdict.
Fisichella spent more than a decade racing in Formula 1, enjoying spells with Jordan, Benetton, Renault and a late cameo with Ferrari.
He knows a thing or two about moving teams, only spending more than two seasons with the same manufacturer once in his F1 career.
Fisichella believes that Carlos Sainz should make the move to Mercedes in 2025 when his Ferrari contract expires.
Although they’re not in the best position right now compared to his current team, they’re still clear of the six teams below them in the standings.
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Giancarlo Fisichella tells Carlos Sainz to sign for Mercedes in 2025
Carlos Sainz started the 2024 season looking like a driver with something to prove.
He was on the podium in Bahrain and took victory in Australia just two weeks after having major surgery.
Question marks were suddenly raised about whether Ferrari had decided to part ways with the right driver.
Charles Leclerc has been racing for his reputation over the last couple of weeks and has taken a step forward.
The Monegasque driver is yet to finish outside of the top four this season and has taken a step ahead of Sainz once again.
However, that shouldn’t take anything away from the fact that Sainz is very close to the top of his game right now.
In Fisichella’s opinion, that means Sainz should be aiming to join Mercedes next year rather than accepting the offer from Audi that’s sitting on the table.
They take over from the current Sauber team in 2026 but have failed to score a point so far this season.
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Carlos Sainz has a decision to make ahead of Ferrari exit
Talking about the three-time race winner’s future, Fisichella said: “Carlos is doing very well. He has been very strong, focused and consistent in the races.
“Take the car to the end of the races and get the best out of the car in terms of points. He won in Australia, which was incredible and he is talking to a few teams, but the best option for him would be Mercedes.
“There is a chance he goes to Red Bull, but next to Max Verstappen, having him as a teammate would be difficult.
“At Mercedes, I would be with George Russell, who is a great driver and a great guy, together I think they can do well.
“I heard that he is also talking to Audi, they have a big factory that can be strong in the future.
“If I were Carlos Sainz, I would go to Mercedes but I’m not sure how interested he is in it.”
Who could Mercedes sign alongside George Russell in 2025?
Although Fisichella wants to see Carlos Sainz driving alongside George Russell at Mercedes next year, he doesn’t appear to be at the top of Toto Wolff’s shortlist.
Instead, he’s still desperate to sign Max Verstappen, although he appears less and less likely to leave Red Bull, especially with Mercedes not looking brilliant right now.
The most likely partner for Russell is youngster Kimi Antonelli.
Although he hasn’t blown the Formula 2 field away during his debut season, he’s testing F1 cars regularly behind the scenes.
He’s seen as the best talent Mercedes have produced in years and after missing out on Verstappen a decade ago, Wolff is keen not to make the same mistake with the young Italian.
The post ‘I would go’: Giancarlo Fisichella tells Carlos Sainz which F1 team he should join for the 2025 season appeared first on F1 Oversteer.