Carlos Sainz has dismissed reports that he has rejected an offer to join Audi if the German manufacturer enters Formula 1 in 2026.
Audi is taking over the current Sauber team, which has already confirmed Nico Hülkenberg as its first driver for 2025.
Sainz, who will be replaced by Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari next year, is Audi’s first choice and they want the Spaniard to be Hulkenberg’s teammate from 2025.
Sauber’s current lineup of Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu does not have a contract for next year.
Asked whether reports in Spain that he had rejected an offer from Audi were true, Sainz said: “That is not correct.”
“There are certain things that are not entirely up to me and some still need to be done, but in the meantime it’s not like we’ve come to a complete standstill and we’re still talking to people and pushing forward what we’re doing can move forward.”
“All of these things always include waiting for people to make a decision in many areas.”
Sainz plays the waiting game
When Sainz moves to Sauber in 2025, he will be reunited with Hulkenberg after the two were teammates at Renault at the end of the 2017 and 2018 seasons.
Sainz made his F1 debut with Toro Rosso in 2015 before moving to Renault for over a year, then moving to McLaren for 2019 and 2020 and will have spent four seasons with Ferrari by the end of this year.
The Spaniard seems to be in no rush about which team he will join next. Mercedes and Red Bull are other possible options depending on Max Verstappen’s future.
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Nico Hülkenberg says he is happy and excited about his future at Kick Sauber in 2025
“The only certainty I have is that I want to make the right decision. That’s why it takes a little longer and I want to see all available options before making a decision,” said Sainz.
“I think it makes perfect sense for her and Nico for Nico to move to Audi. He’s a great driver and a great addition to them. I congratulate them and him because he also did a great job at Haas.”
Sainz: The Volkswagen Group has won every time in motorsport
Audi is part of the Volkswagen Group, which can also look back on a success story outside of Formula 1 in other motorsport categories such as rally and endurance racing.
Sainz’s father, Carlos Sainz Sr., won this year’s Dakar Rally with Audi at the age of 61, becoming the event’s oldest winner.
“My father will always say good things about Audi and the project and how confident he is that Audi will make it to the top in Formula 1,” said Sainz Jr. ahead of this weekend’s Miami Grand Prix.
Carlos Sainz Jr. on the right with his father Carlos Sainz Sr. on the left
“If you follow the Volkswagen projects, they have managed to win every time they have been involved in motorsport, whether with Porsche, Audi or one of the Volkswagen groups.”
“I think that’s a very important advantage and something to take into account, but there are a lot more factors that come into my decision. I hope Audi can fight for victory in the future because that means another car fighting for victories.”
“I wish them the best without having decided whether they are suitable for me or not.”
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Sky Sports F1 commentator David Croft says he doesn’t mind if teammates Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz argue and admits Ferrari won’t care either
Ferrari hopes to get closer to Red Bull
Sainz is the only non-Red Bull race winner in the last 18 months, having won the 2023 Singapore Grand Prix and this year’s Australian Grand Prix.
The 29-year-old is fourth in the drivers’ championship, seven points behind his Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc, but missed the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix due to an appendectomy
Last time in China, Ferrari didn’t have a car on the podium for the first time this season, but Sainz is confident they will be more competitive this weekend.
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A look back at some of the funniest celebrity encounters at the Miami Grand Prix
“I think we’ll be a little better here. Hopefully we are closer to Red Bull than in China, where we lost five to six tenths per lap,” he said.
“I don’t expect Australia because they brought an upgrade to Japan that made them a little faster.”
“TBC with McLaren, with their upgrade. If McLaren didn’t bring an upgrade, we would be equal or ahead.”
“With her upgrade, we need to keep an eye on her. I think we’re going to have a very tough fight with them.”
Sky Sports F1’s live Miami GP schedule
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Miami GP 2024 Managing Partner Tom Garfinkel tells Sky Sports’ Craig Slater what improvements they have made to the track and its surroundings to improve the experience for both competitors and spectators
Friday, May 3rd
3:00 p.m.: F1 Academy Training 1
5:00 p.m.: First Miami GP practice (session starts at 5:30 p.m.)
8:20 p.m.: F1 Academy Training 2
9:00 p.m.: Miami GP Sprint Qualifying (session starts at 9:30 p.m.)
Saturday May 4th
3:25 p.m.: F1 Academy qualification
4:00 p.m.: Miami GP Sprint (race starts at 5:00 p.m.)
6:30 p.m.: Ted’s sprint notebook
7:05 p.m.: F1 Academy Race 1
8:00 p.m.: Miami GP qualifying preparation*
9:00 p.m.: Miami GP Qualifying*
11:00 p.m.: Ted’s Qualification Notebook*
Sunday, May 5th
6:05 p.m.: F1 Academy Race 2
7:30 p.m.: Preparation for the Grand Prix Sunday Miami GP*
9 p.m.: The MIAMI GRAND PRIX*
11 p.m.: Checkered flag: Miami GP reaction*
Midnight: Ted’s Notebook*
*also live on Sky Sports Main Event
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