Carlos Sainz is in a unique position in the Formula 1 driver’s market with his fate already sealed at his current team.
Lewis Hamilton will replace the Spaniard at Ferrari in 2025, leaving Mercedes and Carlos Sainz with a conundrum.
Speaking on the Autosport Podcast, journalist Filip Cleeren has explained why the 29-year-old appears to be in no rush to put pen to paper on one offer he’s already received.
Aside from Ferrari, McLaren and Aston Martin – although they technically haven’t confirmed Lance Stroll’s plans – every other team is still considering their options in the market.
Sauber have moved quickly to sign Nico Hulkenberg from Haas for the start of next season and beyond.
Audi take over the team at the end of 2025 and have their eye on partnering the German with Carlos Sainz, however, he’s still delaying making a decision.
The three-time race winner has already missed one deadline set by Andreas Seidl’s team.
They’ve been demanding a quick answer for weeks, but appear happy to hang on for now in case Sainz finally makes his mind up.
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Carlos Sainz still delaying 2025 Audi decision
There appear to be three potential options for Carlos Sainz heading into next season.
The least likely at this stage is Mercedes, with Toto Wolff desperate to sign Max Verstappen from Red Bull.
That appears to be very unlikely at this stage and Kimi Antonelli is the most likely alternative for the Silver Arrows.
Red Bull are the next option for Carlos Sainz and his case would certainly be helped if Verstappen did make the dramatic decision to move on.
The alternative is replacing Sergio Perez who had a very tough weekend at Imola.
Red Bull are delaying offering the Mexican a new contract which is giving Sainz hope that he could join the fastest team in 2025 and is the likely reason why he’s delaying signing on the dotted line with Audi.
The German manufacturer are at this stage the most likely team for Sainz to join even if he’s not chomping at the bit to sign for one of the slowest teams on the grid this season.
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Carlos Sainz could set off a chain reaction in the F1 driver market
Speaking about the options available to Sainz, Cleeren said: “I think if Carlos [Sainz] felt he had no chance at Red Bull then he would have signed and announced the Audi deal already.
“So, the fact that that’s still being held up suggests that he still thinks he has a shot there.
“I don’t think Mercedes are going to particularly sign him, so, that’s probably it.
“That’s the waiting game that Red Bull are playing, that they can play because they have the best car, they’re in the best position here.
“They can wait maybe until the summer break, maybe a little bit before.
“Is Checo [Perez] going to be the man for us or not, in Carlos they have an upgrade available, so in my mind, it’s not the most difficult decision but I’m not Red Bull.”
Carlos Sainz delaying signing for Audi is impacting the 2025 plans for many other drivers.
Audi are preparing in case Sainz says no, with Ralf Schumacher suggesting they should look at his nephew Mick.
Andreas Seidl is still monitoring Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu in case he needs to fall back on Sauber’s current drivers.
Sainz referenced ahead of the race in Imola that things are ‘not moving too quickly’.
That’s not what Audi will want to hear, but if Red Bull stick with Perez, could leave him in a very uncomfortable position.
The post ‘The waiting game’: Journalist now shares why he thinks Carlos Sainz hasn’t signed 2025 Audi contract yet appeared first on F1 Oversteer.