Ralf Schumacher has now sent Carlos Sainz an ‘honest’ verdict on the Ferrari driver’s future in Formula 1, with an update even expected at this week’s Spanish Grand Prix.
The pinnacle of motorsport returns to Europe fresh off the back of a disastrous Canadian GP for the Scuderia. Ferrari stomached their first double DNF in two years last time out as Sainz crashed and Charles Leclerc retired with a power unit issue to cap a torrid week in Montreal.
Leclerc and Sainz even only claimed P11 and P12 during qualifying in the Great White North. Now, the latter will bid for a vastly improved time at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. The Spanish GP is not only Sainz’s home round but might even see him announce his 2025 drive.
Ralf Schumacher thinks Williams are Ferrari exile Carlos Sainz’s ‘best option’ for 2025
Ferrari will axe Sainz once his contract lapses at the end of 2024 after signing Mercedes ace Lewis Hamilton to a multi-year deal. The Maranello natives opted to scrap talks with the 29-year-old about fresh terms upon learning that Hamilton could leave Brackley after this year.
Sainz has been on the market since February owing to Ferrari’s decision to sign Hamilton yet remains a free agent. But Schumacher expects Williams will announce the signing of Sainz at this week’s Spanish GP. The Madrid native would replace Logan Sargeant at the Grove outfit.
READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari in 2025
Schumacher admits it might have sounded ‘strange’ to Sainz that he would switch Ferrari for Williams at first. However, the former Williams driver believes a move to partner Alex Albon in 2025 is his ‘best option’. Williams’ best result this season is Albon’s P9 from the Monaco GP.
Schumacher told Sky Germany: “Sainz has – if the rumours are to be believed – signed with Williams and that will be announced this week.
“It may sound strange to Sainz at first but Williams have big goals and ambitious investors. To be honest, it was the best option for him.”
Carlos Sainz would snub Sauber to sign for Williams amid doubts over Audi’s engine
Sainz is set to sign for Williams, possibly at the Spanish GP, having seen his options for any seat on the 2025 grid fall to just the Grove squad or Audi via Sauber. But a move to Hinwil, Switzerland ahead of Sauber becoming Audi’s works team in 2026 has not proven enticing.
Reports by Gazzetta dello Sport note that Sainz is reluctant to join Sauber as he doubts the engine Audi will produce under F1’s 2026 technical regulations. As well as turning Sauber into its factory effort, Audi will enter the pinnacle of motorsport as a power unit provider.
READ MORE: Everything you need to know about F1’s 2026 engine and chassis regulations
But Sainz questions how competitive Audi will actually be when the German brand debuts in F1. So, the three-time Grand Prix winner – including the 2024 Australian GP – has decided to join Williams, who will continue to use Mercedes power units until at least the end of 2030.
The post ‘To be honest’: Schumacher sends Sainz ‘strange’ verdict on F1 future with news due at Spanish GP appeared first on F1 Oversteer.