P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Red Bull says it can’t match "very lucrative" Audi F1 offer to Sainz
Sainz and his management have been exploring potential opportunities with multiple F1 teams for the upcoming season following his replacement at Ferrari by Lewis Hamilton. Prior to Fernando Alonso’s renewal with Aston Martin, Sainz was considering options with eight squads, as only Ferrari and McLaren had finalized their 2025 line-ups. One notable possibility includes Sainz moving to Red Bull as a replacement for Sergio Perez, especially if Max Verstappen were to depart due to internal conflicts. Red Bull, led by Marko, has publicly shown interest in Sainz, with mentions of Audi’s pressure on the driver market for 2025. Audi had been linked to Sainz, particularly due to his family’s association with the manufacturer in the Dakar Rally, potentially impacting his decision for the 2026 F1 season. Helmut Marko brought further intrigue to the ongoing driver contract discussions by highlighting the lucrative offer Sainz received from Audi, leading to complexities in the negotiations.
