Carlos Sainz is on the brink of revealing which Formula 1 team he will join for the 2025 season and beyond.
A source within the Spanish media indicates that the Ferrari exit-bound driver won't be making his decision between Williams and Audi-Sauber on Sunday, Monday, or Tuesday but is expected to do so shortly thereafter.
"I will notify my rivals who are affected by the decision, I'm a good guy," the 29-year-old said with a smile, following Kevin Magnussen's earlier remark that Sainz is the "cork in the bottle" causing the current standstill in the driver market.
"I just need a couple of days at home," Sainz added.
James Vowles, the team boss at Williams, has reportedly extended a tempting four-year offer to Sainz, complete with numerous options favorable to the driver and an appealing salary package.
Conversely, the proposal from Audi-owned Sauber might be more compelling due to its long-term nature and financial terms.
"He is one of the drivers we spoke with," Sauber team representative Alessandro Alunni Bravi disclosed to Sky Italia in Barcelona. "He could bring us talent, motivation, and speed."
"But for us, we need a driver who can make a long-term commitment. The decision is close, but it's not just Carlos; we've also spoken with other drivers," Bravi mentioned.
Pierre Gasly of Alpine is rumored to be another potential candidate for Audi.
"We want drivers who are with us from the beginning for this long journey, and obviously now the decision is getting closer. We need to start working on the car and next year's drivers is an important element," Bravi explained.
"I think someone like Carlos, like Nico Hulkenberg who we have already signed, can bring us a lot, but there are also other drivers on the market with the characteristics we want. So I don't only want to talk about Carlos because that would not be respectful towards all the other drivers we are talking about," he added.
New Alpine advisor Flavio Briatore hinted on Saturday that the Renault factory team would be glad to re-sign Gasly, but the 28-year-old French driver is still undecided.
"It is an ongoing process," said Gasly. "The market is very clear right now. There are conversations and it is evolving. I don't want to talk too much until it is decided and announced."
Gasly remains open to the possibility that Alpine might improve significantly by 2025.
"If you look at McLaren or Aston, and everything they have done in recent years, changes for the better are possible," he remarked. "Each situation is unique."
"I see many positive changes in the team and the factory, although they do not necessarily translate directly into better performance on the track," he continued.
Meanwhile, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff dismissed rumors that Kimi Antonelli is guaranteed to replace Lewis Hamilton next year.
"There is no rush to put him in an F1 car," Wolff told Sky Italia.
"He is doing Formula 2, he is learning and he has been testing with us, but at the moment we still don't want to make a decision on the second seat for 2025."
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