Carlos Sainz Jr, the Spanish driver from Ferrari, may be facing a career change in Formula 1 in the near future. His manager hinted at potential movement in the driver market in the coming weeks, with rumors linking Sainz to Audi. As a free agent for 2025, Sainz is open to new opportunities after Ferrari decided not to renew his contract. While he has been considered a possible option for Mercedes and Red Bull, the most prominent speculation revolves around a move to Audi’s new venture in F1. Audi is set to enter the sport for the first time in 2026, taking over the team currently run by Sauber. However, Sainz is waiting to see how events unfold before making a decision. There are suggestions that Audi has set a deadline for next month, which has left Sainz hesitant. Carlos Onoro, Sainz’s representative, stated that there will be no updates from their side before the next round of races, but they expect developments to occur soon. The driver market has been unpredictable, and while there may not be major announcements on Sainz’s side, discussions and negotiations are ongoing. Audi may also be considering other options to partner with Nico Hulkenberg, with Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly mentioned as possible alternatives. Red Bull has presented a tempting offer to Sainz, but Sergio Perez is currently the favorite to retain his seat due to his solid performance. As for the vacant seat at Mercedes, Sainz could be competing with 17-year-old Italian driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who recently had his first F1 test. Another Spanish driver, Fernando Alonso, has already committed to Aston Martin, ruling himself out of consideration for the Mercedes seat.
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