Audi officially enters the world of Formula 1 rumors with its recent driver announcement. According to reports, the team has set its sights on Carlos Sainz as their main target, despite confirming Nico Hulkenberg. It is believed that Audi has made a lucrative offer for Sainz to join Sauber in 2025 and lead their transformation when they become an Audi team in 2026. This would require Sainz to take a step back to a struggling team in the short term before the new era of car rules begins in 2026. Red Bull, who is replacing Sainz with Lewis Hamilton, has also shown interest in the driver. However, it is unclear if they can match Audi’s offer.
The speculation surrounding Sainz’s possible move to Audi has caused tension within the Sauber team. Alessandro Alunni Bravi, Sauber’s main representative, expressed frustration with the rumors and stated that it is not appropriate to discuss what other teams are offering to drivers. He made it clear that Sauber does not want to be part of games played by others. This is an unusual response from Alunni Bravi, who is usually calm and direct in his role.
Red Bull’s involvement in the conversation about Sainz’s possible move to Audi raises questions. Sergio Perez, Red Bull Racing’s current driver, has performed well this season and is expected to be retained for another season. Despite this, both Christian Horner and Helmut Marko from Red Bull have mentioned Sainz as a possible option. It is not clear why Red Bull is considering Sainz, especially when Perez has been performing satisfactorily. It is possible that Red Bull is playing mind games to keep Perez motivated and focused.
The emergence of Audi in the driver market has shaken up the “silly season” narrative. With the confirmed driver change at Sauber influenced by Audi, it is clear that the German manufacturer is now a player in the market. Sauber is pleased to have a role in the driver market and is looking to refresh its driver lineup. Although current drivers Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu still have a chance to stay, it is highly unlikely. Audi is also eyeing Esteban Ocon and Alex Albon as potential drivers.
Despite ongoing speculation, Sauber has stated that a decision on their drivers is not imminent. Their priority is to provide their current drivers with a more competitive car before making any decisions. However, the announcement of Hulkenberg’s signing suggests that something has changed or that Sauber was not entirely truthful. Whether intentional or not, Audi has become part of the fun and games of the driver market.
