The rumors surrounding Sauber and Carlos Sainz’s possible move were fueled by his father’s connection with Audi. Since the announcement of his move to Ferrari in 2025, there has been much speculation about Sainz’s future. With his current seat being occupied by the seven-time world champion, there is much speculation about where Sainz may end up in 2026, when Sauber becomes the Audi Formula 1 team.
Carlos Sainz Jr. was the only non-Red Bull driver to win a race in the 2023 season, making him highly sought after in the driver market. With several teams still uncertain about their drivers for the upcoming season, Sainz will have many options to choose from. When discussing Sainz’s future trajectory, a former Formula 1 driver suggests that he should reject the opportunity to join Audi in 2026.
According to this former Red Bull driver, Sainz is currently at his peak and should make the most of his potential. Since Audi will be new to the sport in 2026, it may take some time for them to become competitive. By then, it may be too late for Sainz to make his mark. Instead, the suggestion is for Sainz to pursue Lewis Hamilton’s seat at Mercedes in the 2025 season, which would open up better career opportunities for him.
During the winter break, there has been much discussion about Carlos Sainz’s and his teammate’s contractual situations. Both drivers’ contracts are scheduled to expire in 2024, and negotiations for extensions were expected to be straightforward. While it became clear that Leclerc would stay at Ferrari, Sainz’s situation worsened when the team signed the seven-time world champion for the 2025 season.
With the acquisition of Audi still two years away, there are frequent rumors linking Sainz to a possible move to Sauber. However, this is likely more of a backup plan than a preferred choice. In the 2025 season, Sainz will evaluate his options and assess his chances of joining Mercedes or Red Bull before making a commitment.
