Carlos Sainz has unexpectedly re-emerged as a candidate to take over Lewis Hamilton's position at Mercedes in the upcoming year.
Initially, team principal Toto Wolff dismissed the soon-to-be former Ferrari driver for the 2025 slot, keeping his options open until November, allowing room for Max Verstappen to potentially exit Red Bull and make a sensational team switch.
Employing a no-risk strategy, Mercedes, under Wolff's guidance, plans to introduce his 17-year-old protégé Kimi Antonelli to Formula 1 next year as a backup plan.
"I would have liked to have chosen Carlos," Wolff expressed earlier this week, "because he is very underrated and he works hard."
"But I don't think he can wait as long as we need, because we might not make a decision until November."
Suddenly, ahead of the British GP at Silverstone, Wolff has once again opened the potential door for the 29-year-old Spanish driver for the 2025 seat.
"Kimi and George (Russell) have been our junior drivers for a long time and I would like to stay faithful to the programme," he shared with El Mundo Deportivo.
"Having said that, with Carlos, we'd have a sure thing, especially in a very tight championship next year," Wolff continued. "If our car is good, to have another driver who is definitely going to be very competitive would be a help."
"There are certainly many arguments in favour of him (Sainz). So yes, he is (an option). If we have more time to decide, Carlos is definitely still an opportunity.
"Of course, he needs to make his decision based on what he does with the other teams," Wolff added.
Indeed, Sainz was recently facing intense pressure and looming deadlines from Audi-owned Sauber and Williams, his potential suitors for 2025. But then new Alpine advisor Flavio Briatore also made a strong push for the 3-time GP winner's signature.
"I thank Flavio for his words," Sainz mentioned at Silverstone on Thursday, "because they come from someone who has been here for a long time and has seen great drivers."
As Sainz now considers new offers that seem more flexible, the 29-year-old insists on not rushing his decision.
"From Monday to Thursday I have a lot of calls, a lot of meetings with my team and the teams I speak to, to try to understand and get a perspective on the situation," he explained. "It's stressful and time-consuming instead of switching off and recharging. The head is somewhere else."
"But I'm not a hypocrite. I won't deny that there are always more benefits when you're in a stable contractual situation. I won't deny that," Sainz stated.
"But I think I will take all the time I can to make the decision, because it influences the next years of my life and my career and it is legitimate for me to take my time," he told Spanish journalists at Silverstone.
