Audi now faces one clear hurdle in its efforts to convince Ferrari exile Carlos Sainz to reject a move to Williams in favour of joining Sauber for the 2025 Formula 1 season.
Sainz remains one of the biggest names on the market after Ferrari signed Lewis Hamilton to join them next year. The Mercedes driver will swap Brackley for Maranello with a multi-year contract to join Charles Leclerc in red. Sainz was already set to be out of contract after 2024.
But while Ferrari confirmed Sainz’s departure in February, his options to find a front-running drive are diminishing. Mercedes are the only top-tier squad with a vacancy, but Andrea Kimi Antonelli is likely to replace Hamilton. Red Bull have also given Sergio Perez a fresh contract.
Ferrari star Carlos Sainz is reluctant to join Sauber over Audi’s 2026 engine
It is now most probable that Sainz will have to join a midfield team to remain in Formula 1 in 2025. Williams are one team keen to sign the Spaniard as team principal James Vowles looks to replace Logan Sargeant. But Audi is still urging Sainz to seal a move to Sauber next year.
That is according to Gazzetta dello Sport, which reports that Audi – which takes over Sauber as a factory team in 2026 – is willing to give Sainz a lucrative, long-term contract. But he still holds one big doubt about the brand’s project that is stopping the 29-year-old from signing.
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Sainz is planning his exit from Ferrari long-term and fears Audi will not deliver a competitive power unit in 2026. Audi will join F1 with a works team and as an engine constructor under the new regulations. But the unknowns that surround Audi’s engine do not convince Sainz.
Audi could turn to Alpine exile Esteban Ocon if Carlos Sainz rejects Sauber
Williams hope Sainz’s lingering doubts concerning Audi’s F1 project let them sign the Ferrari exile. Vowles is desperate to sign Sainz to partner Alex Albon and could offer him a one-year contract in Grove. Any single-year deal to join Williams may also feature an option for 2026.
Should Vowles successfully convince Sainz to join Williams, the Australian GP winner’s move could also help Esteban Ocon out. Edd Straw of The Race reports that Ocon is next in line for a seat at Sauber in 2025 if Sainz rejects Audi with Alpine canning the 27-year-old after 2024.
Alpine have confirmed that Ocon will leave Enstone at the end of his contract in December. The Frenchman has scored two points so far this year compared to teammate Pierre Gasly’s three. Alpine announced his exit after Ocon’s collision with Gasly in the Monaco GP, as well.
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