Toto Wolff joins Christian Horner in spotlighting Carlos Sainz as a potential candidate for a premier racing seat in 2025. Despite his standout performance as the sole driver to eclipse a Red Bull in the last two seasons, Sainz remains uncontracted for the upcoming year.
F1 icon Hans-Joachim Stuck expresses disbelief at Ferrari's decision to let Sainz go, particularly in light of Frederic Vasseur's choice to replace him with Lewis Hamilton. "I still wonder why Ferrari would dismiss a driver like him," Stuck told Eurosport. "I will never understand the switch from Sainz to Hamilton."
In Melbourne, where Sainz triumphed even while recuperating from appendicitis and subsequent surgery, Horner, leading the Red Bull team, acknowledged Sainz as a contender to take over Sergio Perez's spot next year. Stuck believes this would be an ideal move for Sainz.
"It would make Max (Verstappen) have to accelerate even more, which he can certainly do," Stuck opined. "I'm sure Max would sleep worse if he knew that Sainz is going to be his new teammate again."
The paddock buzz now predominantly links Fernando Alonso to Red Bull for 2025, with Daniel Ricciardo's performance waning and Yuki Tsunoda not being seen as a prime candidate. "Tsunoda must improve even more if he can be considered," Dr. Helmut Marko recently stated.
Alonso is also rumored to be in discussions with Mercedes for 2025, although Wolff openly prefers Max Verstappen if he becomes available. However, Wolff has now also indicated Sainz as a potential recruit. "For all the drivers who are considered for this cockpit, there are good reasons why their signing would make sense for us - whether they are very young or very mature," he commented, hinting at both the youthful Kimi Antonelli and the highly experienced Alonso, and adding, "Also Carlos Sainz."
Yet, Bild - the major German newspaper - reports that Wolff is seriously contemplating only Verstappen and Alonso.
Carlos Sainz's celebrated father, Carlos Sainz Sr., a rally legend and this year's Dakar victor, has been visibly active at the F1 races so far in 2024, engaging in discussions with team principals, including a recent encounter with Wolff in Jeddah.
Sainz Sr. expressed to Spanish broadcaster DAZN that his son's Melbourne win is timely. "Right now it is being decided where to race next year, with whom, and I hope he will have the opportunity to drive for a team that allows him to compete for victories," he stated.
