Carlos Sainz has three options to choose from for the 2025 season – Williams, Audi and Alpine. The Ferrari driver is facing a drastic change of scenery as he drops from a victory contender to a midfield outfit.
Sainz was poised to sign his Williams contract at his home race in Spain last time out. The F1 paddock were ‘certain’ that the uncertainty around his future would finally be at an end.
But instead, the 29-year-old hesitated. This may be down to a late push from Alpine, who have recently improved their offer.
Alpine started the year in a state of crisis on and off the track. But while the upheaval persists behind the scenes, they have made clear progress with the performance of their car in recent times.
What’s more, Sainz seems to view talks over an external engine supply deal as a step in the right direction. Alpine would no longer be a works team, but they may be more competitive come the 2026 regulation changes.
Finally, Audi are refusing to budge on the conditions of their offer. They have already offered Sainz a salary so high even former suitors Red Bull couldn’t match it.
But crucially, they’re also demanding that the Spaniard commits long-term. They want him to show faith in their project, but he’s understandably hesitant given that 2026 will be their first year in F1.
Guenther Steiner warns Carlos Sainz about signing long-term deal
Speaking on the Red Flags podcast, former Haas team principal Guenther Steiner weighed in on the debate around Sainz’s future. He warned the three-time race-winner that he must proceed with caution.
If he signs the kind of contract Audi are proposing, then he could ‘end up in a corner’. He may have to see out his deal even if his team struggles.
Steiner has told Sainz to seek a get-out clause at the end of the 2026 season. He’ll be able to see how the revised pecking order shakes out, and then move to a more competitive team if necessary.
If he doesn’t give himself that protection, ‘then his career is over’ to all intents and purposes. Sainz’s goal will be to return to the front of the field, whether that means investing in a multi-year project or using his next team as a stepping stone.
“In ’26, if that team isn’t good, I want to make sure I can get out of that contract, and be in another team for ’27,” Steiner advised. “He’s very smart. I worked with his father.
“They just don’t want to end up in a corner for four years. All of a sudden, he’s stuck for four years, and then his career is over.”
Sainz camp is pushing for him to join one team
BBC Sport journalist Andrew Benson doubts that Sainz will race for one of the biggest F1 teams again. He says Mercedes and Red Bull made their opinions clear by electing not to sign him this year.
It should be said that there were negotiations with Toto Wolff over replacing Lewis Hamilton. But the Silver Arrows ultimately decided to bide their time to see if Kimi Antonelli progressed or Max Verstappen became available.
Sainz needs to confront the possibility that he doesn’t receive another offer from one of F1’s ‘big four’. Therefore, he must have some degree of confidence in his next team to rise up the grid in the coming years.
Those close to Sainz are advising him to join Williams. Team boss James Vowles has recently announced a swathe of technical hires in a further show of their ambition, which could be very well-timed.
The post 'They don't want to end up in a corner': Guenther Steiner warns Carlos Sainz about career-ending mistake appeared first on F1 Oversteer.