According to a report from Motorsport.com, Carlos Sainz’s options for 2025 have become even more limited. Despite being one of the few Grand Prix winners this year, Sainz finds himself without a race seat for the next Formula 1 season after eight race weekends in 2024. The challenges faced by Mercedes have made Lewis Hamilton eager to join Ferrari. However, Sainz’s options for next year have been ruled out by Ferrari and McLaren, and Fernando Alonso’s new contract at Aston Martin has closed another potential opportunity, unless Lawrence Stroll decides to part ways with his son, Lance. Mercedes has shown no interest in Sainz, as Max Verstappen and Kimi Antonelli are the top candidates to join George Russell next year. Despite interest from lower-level teams, Sainz is no longer being considered by Red Bull for next year. This news is positive for Sergio Perez, despite his recent struggles. With only two options currently available, all attention is focused on where Sainz, who has won three races, will end up.
When it was announced that Sainz would leave Ferrari at the end of the season, Red Bull seemed to be the most viable alternative for the three-time race winner. However, team boss Christian Horner was still hoping for improvements from Sergio Perez, whose contract expires this year, despite finishing second in the Drivers’ Championship last year. Perez initially addressed these concerns with three second places in the first four races. However, as Ferrari and McLaren closed the gap to Red Bull, Perez faced difficulties. Although the crash in Monaco was not entirely his fault, his poor performance on Saturday put him at the back of the pack. Nevertheless, Perez remains the top candidate to be Max Verstappen’s partner at Red Bull next year, instead of Sainz. Reports indicate that Verstappen would not feel comfortable competing against someone as fast as Sainz, as he wants to remain the clear number one in the team. This situation presents a challenging position for Sainz, who must make a decision soon with a 50/50 choice.
The most likely destinations for Sainz are Williams and Audi, as Red Bull is no longer an option. His management is currently engaged in serious negotiations with both teams, who are eager for a quick decision. At Williams, Sainz would join Alex Albon, another former Red Bull driver who recently scored the team’s first points of the season in Monte Carlo. Sainz may have to spend a year with the Sauber team before Audi enters the sport in 2026. Considering the time it may take for Audi to become competitive, joining James Vowles at Williams next year may be a better choice for Sainz.
