Although the racing wasn’t particularly exciting during the Monaco Grand Prix, drivers and their management teams were working hard behind the scenes in the paddock to create some off-track drama.
Only half of the seats on the grid for 2025 have been filled and options are beginning to run out for drivers who are becoming free agents next year.
A report from the German outlet Auto Motor und Sport believes talks are being taken up a notch between Williams and Audi and one driver on the grid.
At this moment in time, both teams only have one seat left to fill for next season.
Audi – currently Sauber – have already signed Nico Hulkenberg from Haas which is an exciting move for the experienced German.
Ahead of the race in Imola, Williams confirmed that Alex Albon had signed a contract extension with the team and he rewarded them by scoring the team’s first points of the season in Monaco.
It’s now been reported that Audi and Williams have both entered ‘serious negotiations’ with Carlos Sainz.
The Spaniard passed 1000 career Formula 1 points this season but knows his time is up at Ferrari.
READ MORE: Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz’s life outside F1 from full name, girlfriend and height
Carlos Sainz enters ‘serious negotiations’ with Audi and Williams
The Monaco Grand Prix is one of the most important races of the season for Ferrari.
It’s Charles Leclerc’s home race and after years of bad luck, he finally delivered a long-awaited victory.
His teammate Carlos Sainz played a key role in that success, making sure McLaren didn’t have a tactical advantage by splitting Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris and joining his teammate on the podium as a result.
Sainz has put in some brilliant performances this season with his victory in Australia the obvious high point.
It won’t be enough to convince team principal Frederic Vasseur to suddenly change his mind about signing Lewis Hamilton, but it does make him the exciting free agent on the Formula 1 market.
Sainz wants to join Red Bull next year with Sergio Perez once again in a tricky spot and Max Verstappen still being wooed by Mercedes boss Toto Wolff.
However, Sainz needs to make sure he’s got other options on the table should Red Bull decide against signing him and that’s what Audi and Williams enter the equation.
Both teams will almost certainly have vacancies to fill and the Spaniard is by far the most enticing prospect on the grid.
READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Williams Racing from team principal to Mercedes relationship
Carlos Sainz in a position of power in the F1 driver’s market
The report from AMuS suggests the ‘incredible’ driver – as described by Helmut Marko – is at the top of both teams’ list for 2025.
Both Williams and Audi have told Sainz he can take more time to make a final call on his future after he previously missed one deadline with the German team.
They believe that with every week that passes where Red Bull don’t decide on Sainz and Sergio Perez, the more chance they have of signing him.
AMuS claim that Sainz’s management has now entered ‘serious negotiations’ with both teams ahead of trying to confirm his place on the grid.
Interestingly, Sainz has made it clear that it’s important to him that he’s ‘back on the market’ in 2027.
The Spaniard wants to make sure that once the teams have settled into the new regulations, he wants to be an option for whichever team has nailed the start of the next ruleset.
READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber from team principal to Audi future
Who is the better option for Carlos Sainz – Williams or Audi?
If Red Bull and Mercedes are off the table for Sainz, then he has a difficult choice to make between Audi and Williams.
At this stage, Sauber are the worst team on the grid by quite some distance, being left behind in qualifying for the Monaco Grand Prix.
The promise of becoming a works team in 2026 will be appealing, but if Sainz wants to be back on the market in 2027, then a year driving for a brand-new works team may not be too appealing.
Williams have enjoyed a tough start to the campaign but seem to be on the up and in James Vowles have a very competent leader.
Alex Albon is a fantastic driver and a two-year stint with Williams could be the stronger choice for Sainz at this stage of his career.
He’s already received a ‘satisfactory’ offer from Williams but he’ll be in no rush to put pen to paper at this stage.
The post Report: ‘Incredible’ 1000+-point driver has now entered ‘serious negotiations’ with Williams and Audi appeared first on F1 Oversteer.