Despite achieving victories, including a recent triumph in Australia, and currently outperforming his future replacement in the 2024 rankings, Sainz’s options appear to be limited.
Jacques Villeneuve, a former Formula 1 champion, has expressed concerns about Carlos Sainz’s potential move to Audi, suggesting that newer teams like Audi might pose a higher risk of exiting the sport.
As Sainz approaches the end of his time with Ferrari, set to be replaced by Lewis Hamilton in 2025, he finds himself at a career crossroads.
Despite securing wins, including a recent victory in Australia, and currently outperforming his soon-to-be successor in the 2024 standings, Sainz’s choices seem restricted.
With Fernando Alonso renewing his contract at Aston Martin, Sainz’s options are narrowed down to the upcoming Audi works team, scheduled to absorb Sauber in 2026, or Williams.
Despite a successful start to the season with multiple podium finishes, Villeneuve, who secured Williams’ last championships in 1997, prefers his old team over the newcomer.
He argues that building a successful team requires time, something Audi, despite its resources, cannot instantly acquire.
“Well, they’re [Audi] joining with a team that hasn’t been successful for many years.
“And, you simply cannot create expertise,” Villeneuve told Sports Illustrated.
“It’s something that you develop over time. You can see it with Williams.
“You know, they remain relatively strong for a while, but you pay the price of having paid drivers, and all of that, you pay it later.
“And now the team has been rebuilding, but it doesn’t happen overnight. It also takes time. So, it won’t happen overnight.”
Sauber, which competed as Alfa Romeo last year, has not made a significant impact since its return to Formula 1 in 2024, with drivers Zhou Guanyu and Valtteri Bottas yet to score in the first four races of the season.
Villeneuve highlighted the volatility associated with new manufacturers in F1, noting their potential for sudden departures, in contrast to teams like Williams, deeply rooted in the sport’s ecosystem.
“What’s risky with constructors when they enter is that they can easily decide in five minutes, ‘okay, we’re gone, bye’ and they leave without any concern,” Villeneuve explained.
“They’re great for the sport, but they’re also very dangerous in that aspect. Whereas a team like Williams cannot leave. It exists with and because of F1.”
As for Sainz, he remains focused amidst the uncertainties, achieving three podium finishes this season despite missing one race due to appendicitis.
Reflecting on the improved performance, Sainz said, “Last year, we simply had no flexibility and we couldn’t do anything without racing, so it seemed like we were often getting the strategy wrong.
“But when you have a car that performs better on tires, two drivers who can push the car more frequently, and that extra flexibility, your strategy also appears better.”