The rumors surrounding Sauber and Carlos Sainz’s potential move have been fueled by his father’s connection to Audi. Ever since the announcement of his move to Ferrari in 2025, there has been much speculation about Sainz’s future. With his current seat being taken by the seven-time world champion, there are many speculations about where Sainz might end up in 2026 when Sauber becomes the Audi F1 team.
Carlos Sainz Jr. was the only non-Red Bull driver to secure a win in the 2023 season, making him highly sought-after in the driver’s market. With several teams still uncertain about their drivers for the upcoming season, Sainz will have plenty of options to choose from. While discussing Sainz’s future trajectory, an ex-F1 driver suggests that he should reject the opportunity to join Audi in 2026.
According to this former Red Bull driver, Sainz is currently in his prime and should make the most of his potential. Since Audi will be new to the sport in 2026, it may take them some time to become competitive. By then, it might be too late for Sainz to make a mark. Instead, the suggestion is for Sainz to aim for Lewis Hamilton’s seat at Mercedes in the 2025 season, which would open up better career opportunities for him.
During the winter break, there was much discussion about the contract situations of Carlos Sainz and his teammate. Both drivers’ contracts are set to expire in 2024, and it was expected that negotiations for extensions would be straightforward. While it was clear that Leclerc would stay at Ferrari, Sainz’s situation took a turn for the worse when the team signed the seven-time world champion for the 2025 season.
With the Audi takeover 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 either Mercedes or Red Bull before making a commitment.
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