Carlos Sainz could never have imagined what options the Ferrari exile is only facing for a 2025 Formula 1 drive after Mercedes and Red Bull elected against offering him seats.
The 29-year-old is currently weighing up only two seats for next season but is not jumping to land either. Sainz has been on the market since the start of February when Ferrari confirmed the signing of Lewis Hamilton. The 39-year-old will switch Mercedes for Maranello next year.
Hamilton triggered an escape clause in his contract in Brackley to sign a multi-year deal with Ferrari. The seven-time drivers’ champion will take over Sainz’s seat as the Spaniard was due to be out of contract already. His latest deal with the Scuderia only took Sainz through 2024.
Audi and Williams are Ferrari exile Carlos Sainz’s only offers for a 2025 F1 seat
But despite Sainz returning from appendicitis to win the 2024 Australian GP, he only has two offers for next year. That is according to Gazzetta dello Sport, which claims that Williams and Audi – by way of Sauber – are the only teams to offer Sainz an official contract for next term.
Williams have slapped an initial one-year deal on the table that includes an option for Sainz to extend it into 2026. The option would give the three-time Grand Prix winner control over his future again ahead of Formula 1 introducing new engine and chassis regulations in 2026.
READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari in 2025
Sainz moving to Grove would also see him race with Mercedes power units in 2025 and into the new regulations. But the alternative offer from Audi would see the five-time pole sitter join Sauber next year ahead of the German automotive giants entering F1 as a works team.
Audi also wants Sainz to sign a multi-year contract with a lucrative wage to help guide its F1 project. But the Madrid native is still not 100% convinced that a move to Hinwil, Switzerland is the best option for his future. Yet Audi and Williams are currently Sainz’s only real options.
Carlos Sainz could never have imagined Mercedes and Red Bull turning him down
Sainz could never have imagined his options at the end of May would be to join Williams or spend a year at Sauber before they become Audi. He firmly expected to receive offers from front-running teams having gone toe-to-toe with Charles Leclerc since arriving in Maranello.
But Mercedes have told Sainz that they are prioritising promoting their driver academy gem, Andrea Kimi Antonelli. The Silver Arrows made it clear to the Spaniard that the Italian stood in front of him in their pecking order during talks at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix this May.
Red Bull have also opted to offer Sergio Perez a new one-year contract over targeting Sainz. Team principal Christian Horner favours retaining the Mexican in Milton Keynes over a move for the Ferrari exile. Sainz had viewed a move to Red Bull as his preferred objective for 2025.
Carlos Sainz is holding his own against Charles Leclerc at Ferrari in 2024
Joining either Williams or Audi via Sauber in 2025 would certainly mark a step back for Sainz next year. He is one of only three drivers to win a Grand Prix this year with Lando Norris and Max Verstappen. He was also the only non-Red Bull driver to win a Grand Prix through 2023.
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Despite missing the 2024 Saudi Arabian GP due to his appendicitis, Sainz also still holds his own against Leclerc in their head-to-head battle at Ferrari. He has scored 108 points to the Monegasque’s 138, while only trailing the 26-year-old 4-3 for finishing results in Grand Prix.
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