P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Sainz: All my best 2025 F1 seat options are "still open"
After leaving Ferrari, the direction of Carlos Sainz’s career in Formula 1 has become a hot topic in the paddock, especially since he is being replaced by Lewis Hamilton and is the only non-Red Bull driver to have won races since 2022. The 2024 F1 driver market is in early overdrive with most of the grid’s contracts expiring at the same time as Sainz tries to plan his next move. Sainz was a potential 2025 candidate for Aston Martin before Fernando Alonso’s contract extension, and he is also linked to Red Bull, Mercedes, and Audi’s potential takeover of Sauber. Despite the uncertainty, Sainz believes his best options are still open, and he is willing to take his time to make the right decision for his future. He acknowledges that 2026, with the new engine regulations, is unpredictable, likening it to a coin toss, and stresses the importance of being in a competitive car for the 2025 season based on his current performance level.