Carlos Sainz has denied reports that he had turned down an offer to sign for Audi when the German manufacturer signs up for F1 in 2026.
Audi will take over the existing Sauber team, which has already unveiled Nico Hulkenberg as its first driver for 2025.
Sainz, who will be replaced by Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari next year, is Audi’s first pick and the Spaniard will be Hulkenberg’s team-mate from 2025.
The current Sauber team, consisting of Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu, has a contract for next year.
Asked if reports in Spain that he had rejected an offer from Audi were true, Sainz replied: “That’s accurate.
“There are some things that are not completely up to me and there will be work to be done, but in the meantime it’s not like we’re completely at a standstill and we’re still in verbal exchange with other people and moving forward on what we can do. “.
“All of those things involve waiting for other people to make a decision in many areas. “
If Sainz joins Sauber in 2025, he will be reunited with Hulkenberg, after both were teammates at Renault at the end of the 2017 season and in 2018.
Sainz made his F1 debut in 2015 at Toro Rosso, before joining Renault for more than a year, then moving to McLaren for 2019 and 2020, and will have spent four seasons at Ferrari until the end of this year.
The Spaniard doesn’t seem to be in a hurry to find out which team he’ll sign up for next, with Mercedes and Red Bull being other possible options, depending on Max Verstappen’s future.
“The only security I have is that I need to make the right decision. That’s why it takes a bit more time and I need to see all the features there are before I make a decision,” Sainz said.
“I think the addition of Nico to Audi makes a lot of sense for them and for Nico. He’s a wonderful driving force and a wonderful signing for them. I congratulate them, as well as him, because he also had very clever effects on Haas. “
Audi is part of the Volkswagen Group, which has a history of good luck outside of F1 in other motorsport categories, such as rallying and power racing.
Sainz’s father, Carlos Sainz Sr. , won this year’s Dakar Rally with Audi at the age of 61, making him the oldest winner of the event.
“My father will say smart things about Audi, the commission and how confident he is that Audi will succeed in the most sensible of F1,” said Sainz Jr, ahead of this weekend’s Miami Grand Prix.
“If we stick to Volkswagen’s projects, each and every time they’ve been involved in motorsport, no matter if it’s with Porsche, Audi or any member of the Volkswagen Group, they’ve managed to win.
“I think it’s a very important asset and a very important thing to consider, but in my decision there are many more points at stake. I hope that Audi, in the future, can fight for the win because it will mean that one more car will fight for the win. “
“I wish them well, regardless of whether they are an option for me or not. “
Sainz is the winner of a non-Red Bull race in the past 18 months after winning 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 Ferrari team-mate Charles Leclerc, but missed the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix due to surgery on his appendix.
Last time in China, Ferrari failed to get a car onto the podium for the first time this season, but Sainz believes they will be more competitive this weekend.
“I think we’re going to be a little bit better here. I expect us to be closer to Red Bull compared to China, where we have lost between five and six tenths per lap,” he said.
“I don’t wait for Australia because they improved in Japan, which made them a bit quicker.
“It will be shown with McLaren, with their update. If McLaren didn’t bring an update, we’d be the same or sooner. “
“With their update, we will have to monitor them. I think we’ll be in a very close fight with them. “
Friday, May 33: F1 Academy Practice 3:00 p. m. : First practice of the Miami GP (session at 5:30 p. m. ) 8:20 p. m. : F1 Academy Practice 3:00 p. m. : Miami GP Sprint Qualifying (session at 9:30 p. m. )
Saturday May 4:25 p. m. : F1 Academy Qualifying 4 p. m. : Miami Sprint GP (race starts at 5 p. m. ) 6:30 p. m. : Ted’s Sprint Notebook 7:05 p. m. : F1 Academy Race 6 p. m. : Miami GP Qualifying Prep*9 p. m. : Miami GP Qualifying*11 p. m. : Ted’s Qualifying Notebook*
Sunday in May 17:05: F1 Academy Race 17:30: Grand Prix Miami GP Warm-Up Sunday*21:00: The MIAMI GRAND PRIX* 23:00: Miami GP Checkered Flag*Midnight: Ted’s Notebook*
*also at the Sky Sports Main Event
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