Carlos Sainz has dismissed rumors claiming he has signed a Formula 1 team contract for 2025 as laughable.
The prevalent gossip in Montreal, ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix, suggests that the former Ferrari driver has declined an offer from Audi-owned Sauber, opting instead to wait for a possible vacancy at either Red Bull or Mercedes for 2026.
Rumours now suggest that the 29-year-old has agreed to a one-year deal with Williams for the coming season.
"I saw it in the media but when I look at these things, it makes me laugh," Sainz expressed on Thursday.
"It makes me laugh because I remember seeing news three months ago that I had signed for Mercedes, and then news that I had signed for Red Bull, and neither of those things happened.
Now probably the same people say that I have signed for Williams, so it's funny. It also makes me laugh or worried that sometimes this is not punished in some media - and I'm not talking to you (reporters), because you are here and you know when something has been signed or not.
"When I have something to say or something to announce, you guys will be the first to know and I'll be here talking about it openly," the Spaniard stated.
Sainz noted that he still has several options for his future, and "I am happy and proud to be able to choose my future in Formula 1."
"I don't think many drivers have the opportunity to choose where they are going to race for the next two or three years," he remarked.
"With the people I have spoken to, I feel respected and that makes me positive for the future."
Regarding the recent news of Sergio Perez being retained by Red Bull, Sainz mentioned it was no surprise to him.
"I've known for a while that the path to Red Bull Racing was blocked, so that didn't change anything for me," he explained. "I still have excellent options on the table."
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