According to a report by Motorsport.com, the possibilities for Carlos Sainz in 2025 have become even more limited. Despite being one of the few Grand Prix winners this year, Sainz finds himself without a race seat for the upcoming Formula 1 season after eight race weekends in 2024. The challenges faced by Mercedes have made Lewis Hamilton eager to start at Ferrari. However, Sainz’s options for next year have been ruled out by Ferrari and McLaren, and the new deal for Fernando Alonso at Aston Martin has closed off another potential opportunity unless Lawrence Stroll decides to part ways with his son, Lance. Mercedes has shown no interest in Sainz, as Max Verstappen and Kimi Antonelli are the top candidates to join George Russell next year. Despite interest from lower-tier teams, Sainz is no longer in consideration for Red Bull next year. This development is positive news for Sergio Perez, despite his recent struggles. With only two options currently available, all attention is focused on where Sainz, who has won three races, will end up.
When it was announced that Sainz would be leaving Ferrari at the end of the season, Red Bull seemed like the most viable alternative for the three-time race winner. However, team principal Christian Horner still expected improvements from Sergio Perez, whose contract expires this year, despite finishing second in the Drivers’ Championship last year. Perez initially addressed these concerns with three second-place finishes in the first four races. However, as Ferrari and McLaren have closed the gap with Red Bull, Perez has encountered difficulties. Although the Monaco accident was not entirely his fault, his poor performance on Saturday placed him towards the back of the field. Nevertheless, Perez remains the top contender to partner with Max Verstappen at Red Bull next year, instead of Sainz. Reports indicate that Verstappen would not feel comfortable racing against someone as fast as Sainz, as he wishes to remain the team’s clear number-one driver. This situation presents a challenging position for Sainz, who must make a decision soon with a 50/50 choice.
The most probable destinations for Sainz are Williams and Audi, as Red Bull is no longer an option. His management is currently engaged in serious negotiations with both teams, who are eager for a prompt decision. At Williams, Sainz would join forces with Alex Albon, another former Red Bull driver who recently scored his team’s first points of the season in Monte Carlo. Sainz may have to spend a year with the Sauber team before Audi enters the sport in 2026. Considering the time it may take for Audi to become competitive, joining James Vowles at Williams next year might be a better choice for Sainz.