Carlos Sainz is still at the center of the F1 driver market. The Spaniard, abandoned by Ferrari, has given himself some more time to define his future. However, the objective of his entourage is to arrive in Barcelona at the end of June with a signed contract.
The Spanish Ferrari driver has several open options but, at the time of writing, the situation is still very fluid.
“All options are open, but for 2025 I would like a competitive car,” Sainz’s words in a recent interview.
The Spanish pilot, winner of this year’s Australian Grand Prix, hopes not to have to wait long and also hopes to be able to resolve and deal with the issue as soon as possible: “I still don’t know where I will race in 2025”, said Sainz recently, who then also added: “As far as my future is concerned, the situation it has changed a lot over the winter. Now we need some time to analyze all the available options and see what will be the best plan to become world champion.”
Sainz’s statements lead to narrowing the circle of teams for which the Spanish driver will be able to race next year. Excluding the project Audijudged too risky by father Carlos, the real options for Sainz remain three: Red Bull, Mercedes And Aston Martin.
For various reasons, these three teams could “guarantee” the Spaniard victories and world title. Red Bull and Mercedes as they are the two teams that have dominated the last two cycles in Formula 1. To these we could add Aston Martin which, from 2026, will have the support of Honda.
The return to Red Bullnext to Max Verstappen, could be the riskiest, both due to the strength of his teammate and the unknowns surrounding the team which, after the death of Dietrich Mateschitz, the exit of Adrian Newey and the stubbornness of Chris Horner, risks return to a mid-group team, if the “home-made engine” is not up to par with Ferrari, Mercedes and Honda.
Landing in Mercedes seems less and less likely, given that the contract that Toto Wolff offered to the Spaniard would last only one year with an option only in favor of the team for 2026. Realistically, few are betting on a winning 2025 for the Anglo team. German but it is still an official team with a first-rate technical structure behind it.
Finally Aston Martin. Little is said about it but the English team is perhaps the one with the highest growth prospects. Sainz would team up with Fernando Alonso for an all-Spanish team. A first year (2025) to adapt to the new team and then bet on a winning 2026, thanks also to the return of Honda.
The next few weeks will be decisive to finalize an agreement that could easily be announced on the occasion of the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona on June 23rd.
