Carlos Sainz remains the centre of attention at this weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix. Everybody in and around F1 is waiting to see where he ends up in 2025.
Sainz has, of course, lost his seat at Ferrari to Lewis Hamilton. But with three Grand Prix victories under his belt, including one in Australia in March, he’s perhaps the leading free agent on the market.
The team most persistently linked with Sainz this year has been Audi. The German giants have bought 100% of the Sauber team ahead of the 2026 season.
They will enter F1 with a budget to rival the top teams, and an ambition to win the title by 2031. But it would still be understandable if Sainz had reservations.
In their current guise of Sauber, they’re bottom of the constructors’ championship with no points to their name. The Spaniard may be wary of sacrificing a year in 2025, with little prospect of the Swiss outfit making big gains before then.
Indeed, he might well feel as if he’s in his absolute prime right now. And by the time Audi reach theirs, he could be at the tail-end of his F1 career.
Ted Kravitz raises eyebrows at Carlos Sainz to Williams talk
Speaking on Ted’s Podbook in Monaco, Ted Kravitz relayed the latest paddock rumours around Sainz. He’s apparently holding discussions with Williams, another of F1’s strugglers.
The Grove outfit are one of two teams, alongside Sauber, who haven’t recorded a top-10 finish this season. But Sainz appears intrigued by the prospect of racing for James Vowles nonetheless.
Part of the reason for that may be their Mercedes engine deal. There are rumours that they have built the best power unit for the 2026 regulation changes.
Still, Kravitz says few would have seen this potential move coming. It’s another marker of Williams’ ambition as they also try to lure Adrian Newey back to the team ahead of his Red Bull exit.
“The other story that Craig [Slater, Sky F1 reporter] was just alluding to there was something that’s come out that one of the teams that Carlos Sainz is talking to is Williams,” Kravitz said. “I know, who would have thought? A turn-up for the books.
“Williams are pretty busy. While enticing Adrian Newey to grow, it seems like they’re also trying to entice Carlos Sainz. Good luck James Vowles with that one.”
Why Red Bull don’t want to sign Carlos Sainz
Sainz has been holding off on accepting Audi’s offer partly because he’s hoping for a phone call from Red Bull. The world champions could have a seat available if they decide to axe Sergio Perez, who continues to struggle relative to Max Verstappen.
However, ‘the word is’ that they don’t especially want to sign the Ferrari driver as it stands. They’re wary of ‘tension’ at the team if they reunite him with Verstappen.
There was a fractious atmosphere at Toro Rosso back in 2015 when they were both rookies. Verstappen eventually got the call-up to Red Bull, with Sainz overlooked.
In theory, returning to the Milton Keynes outfit would offer a shot at the world championship. While there are sweeping changes on the horizon for 2026, Red Bull will be the favourites for next year given the minimal tweaks to the regulations.
However, winning the title would mean beating Verstappen in a team he’s made his own. And the likes of Perez, Alex Albon and Pierre Gasly have already shown that’s a nearly ‘impossible’ task.
The post 'A turn-up for the books': Ted Kravitz is surprised that one team is trying to 'entice' Carlos Sainz appeared first on F1 Oversteer.