Sainz: “I have decided not to talk about my future until I have made a decision”

Every Grand Prix Thursday they ask Carlos Sainz the same question. It was like this before the course started Ferrari will make the arrival of the Lewis Hamilton for 2025 in place of Carlos. Race after race, the Spaniard had to discuss his situation and the teams that wanted to sign him. And in Barcelona, ​​​​​​​​a few weeks ago he assured that he will make “the decision as soon as possible” because he has reached the point where this issue is taking up space in his head. However, in Barcelona Alpine his interest in the Spaniard increased and when he seemed to have made up his mind Williams instead Audi, Alpine he won outright. But there is no clear and Sainz He decided not to talk about it anymore.

“I have decided not to talk about my future until I have made a decision, which you will be the first to know,” Carlos assured himself in the run-up to the British F1 GP, in statements collected by the ‘Motorsport.com’ portal.

The time it takes to decide your future

“Honestly, it took me a long time, I won’t lie. On Thursday and Friday, before I get to the circuit, there are many calls, many hours on the phone, meetings with my management team., but also with the teams I talk to, trying to understand and have a full picture of the situation. It can be quite stressful and time consuming. Instead of you completely disconnecting and recharging the batteries, your mind is somewhere else thinking about your future and asking, ‘What is this?’, it’s not an ideal situation,” said Carlos Sainz, who however highlighted that he was able to perform at his best in Austria from the first free practice despite that situation: “At the same time, when I arrived on Thursday, I felt capable of performing.”

“When I went into an engineering meeting, I felt 100% inside the car, and I think the weekend at the Austrian Grand Prix is ​​proof that I’m still at a very high level and that I’m performing in one of my best seasons. in Formula 1, but, as I always say, I will not be a hypocrite, I think there is always more performance in a stable contract situation and where I am now, so I will not deny what I always have . . . I said,” he added.

This is your situation

The decision Sainz had to make was not an easy one. Williams, Alpine and Sauber (Audi in 2026) want him.. And in turn, It is unclear whether there will be a free seat at Red Bull if Verstappen leaves or if ‘Checo’ Pérez does not improve his performance after renewing. And if there’s any team where the number of contracts is few, it’s Red Bull. And on the other hand, there is Mercedes. Toto Wolff made it clear to MD that he wanted Carlos Sainz to wait longer and that “Carlos is still a chance”. And if the star team fails to sign Verstappen, Wolff may have to decide between young Kimi Antonelli, who is not yet done breaking into F2 and may need more filming, or Carlos Sainz.

But for that, Carlos will have to wait without anything guaranteed. And if you wait too long and the Mercedes and Red Bull doors don’t open, something that seems complicated, it might be too late and you’re left without a seat. If you want to grab a seat now, Williams is offering a mid-table car that has dipped in recent weeks. Alpine seems to have improved in that battle for points.

And there is the question of whether Alpine will use a Mercedes engine in 2026. Williams will do it and that could be a very positive point because paddock rumors suggest that this machine will be an airplane.

On the other hand, there is Audi, which means racing at the back of the grid with Sauber in 2025 and leading a long-term project with a historic brand.but no one can say that this project will be a winner or when it can be achieved for a lot of money and desire to put a brand as iconic and winning as Audi here.

Reply to Briatore

For now, even without a decision, Carlos Sainz limited himself to responding to the good words offered to him by Flavio Briatore on ‘DAZN’. The recently signed Alpine advisor praised Carlos on the Austrian grid last week.

“Thank you very much Flavio (Briatore) for the kind words, especially from someone who understands the sport and has been here a long time, and has seen several drivers in his career, I’m happy with those words,” Carlos declared.