Carlos Sainz Jr is now linked with four F1 teams for 2025. Image: File
Carlos Sainz Jr linked with four F1 teams for 2025
Sacked pre-season, then in hospital for emergency surgery; Carlos Sainz Jr is now a race winner and linked with four F1 teams for 2025.
Carlos Sainz Jr is now linked with four F1 teams for 2025. Image: File
Following a rollercoaster start to the season, Carlos Sainz Jr is suddenly linked with an increasing number of Formula 1 teams for 2025. The 29-year-old Spaniard is ‘still without a job for next year’. This is after Ferrari decided to replace him with Lewis Hamilton. However, he gave himself the best possible endorsement by winning Sunday’s Australian GP.
The feat was even more impressive given that he is clearly still recovering from recent emergency appendix surgery. “That was the best possible job application. For sure, it does no harm, but I think everyone already knows more or less what I’m capable of. I don’t race to prove something to team principals or prove to people my value,” said Sainz.
ROBBED OF A FIGHT FOR P1
He even pulled off a stunning pass on Max Verstappen prior to the dominant Red Bull’s early brake failure and fire. “A pity,” said Sainz of the Dutchman’s first DNF in two years, “because I think we would have had a good fight for P1 today.”
However, even though Sainz is the only non-Red Bull driver to beat Verstappen in two seasons, many continue to underestimate his talent. Fellow Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc, however, insists he’s not worried about Sainz’s future because he is already in talks with multiple teams. Paddock rumours are already linking Sainz with the Lewis Hamilton vacancy at Mercedes-Benz, but also Sauber (transitioning to Audi for 2026) and Aston Martin.
POSSIBLE MOVE TO RED BULL?
However, Sainz is a former member of the Red Bull family and was close to Verstappen’s pace when they were rookies at Toro Rosso. So, paddock insiders, therefore think the 29-year-old could therefore be an ideal replacement for Sergio Perez. And if the Red Bull unrest results in Verstappen being the one to depart the team, Carlos Sainz would be a strong candidate to replace him, too.
“There will be a domino effect on the driver market, where the key could be an earthquake at Red Bull, even if that’s unlikely. I don’t think Carlos will go to Sauber (Audi in 2026), but there have already been talks with Red Bull. However, I think his future will be at Aston Martin,” Italian journalist Roberto Chinchero told Sky.
“There is a very fast driver who won the race today who does not have a contract for next year. We want the best possible pair of drivers at Red Bull Racing, so sometimes you need to look outside the system for that. Based on today, any possibility cannot be ruled out,” Red Bull’s Christian Horner said in Melbourne on Sunday. – with GMM
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