Carlos Sainz has declared he will use his “free agent” status in his last season with Ferrari as a strategic opportunity to select the most suitable path for his Formula 1 career, not just for 2025 but for the years to follow.
This comes amid the backdrop of Ferrari’s surprising revelation that Lewis Hamilton will join the team in 2025, leaving Sainz at a crossroads regarding his future in F1.
The challenge before Sainz is significant, as he navigates the next steps of his career following an unanticipated shift in his expected tenure with Ferrari. Despite anticipating an extension of his contract, the two-time Grand Prix victor is now in the market for a new team.
Sainz is focused on joining a “winning project,” emphasizing the necessity of a deliberate and well-considered decision.
Audi, which plans to make its F1 debut in 2026, emerges as a compelling option for Sainz, especially considering his familial connection to the brand through his father’s recent Dakar Rally victory driving an Audi vehicle.
Nevertheless, powerhouse teams like Mercedes and Red Bull are also expected to express strong interest in securing Sainz’s skills for the upcoming season.
Despite these possibilities, Sainz acknowledges the importance of concentrating on his current obligations, especially with pre-season testing already underway in Bahrain, indicating a balanced approach to handling his imminent career decisions.
Sainz said to the media in Bahrain; “I guess for all the drivers with expiring contracts, you are looking at all your options, chatting with all the teams and seeing how other structures and teams are progressing and where they are,”
“Winter testing is the priority as we only have three days of testing, so you have to put head on where you are losing time and then there will be plenty of time to sit down and decide.”
Sainz acknowledged that saying goodbye to his Ferrari team at the year’s end will be an intensely emotional experience.
“There are 24 races ahead of us but for sure the last couple of races will be emotional, especially because I will leave behind a great group of people that I work very well alongside,” he continued.
“I’ve met some very good human beings at Ferrari, and I’ve also met a lot of people around the world that have made me feel at home, right from the beginning.
“We will leave that emotional part towards the end of the year and try to do the best possible job with the team for the last year.
“I know that Frederic Vassuer, [Ferrari Team Principal] and the company are going to give me their full support that if we are in a championship fight this year, we’re going to push flat out together and have a nice last year together.
“I hopefully have plenty of years in my career ahead of me, so let’s see where the future takes me.”
“I am a free agent for 2025 and have no idea where I am going to be racing, so I need to take my time to decide,” he said.
“All options are available and I’ll try to pick the best option for me, not just for 2025 but what is the best option for the next three or four years that I am giving my absolute best to to put together a winning project in F1.”
