Following confirmation that Nico Hülkenberg will join Sauber next year, a report claims that Audi is no longer pressuring Carlos Sainz to make a quick decision on his future.
If so, it would allow the current Ferrari driver to further compare his features before landing on a seat for next season, and Audi is known to be eyeing his signature from 2025 and beyond.
A report by German publication Auto Motor und Sport claims that, following Hülkenberg’s signing of a multi-year deal with Haas for next season, with part of Audi’s first Formula 1 team already complete, they are now willing to wait longer to hear Sainz’s resolution. Regarding their long-term career, AMuS claims that Audi sees Sainz and Hulkenberg as the “ideal pairing” to overtake them.
Sainz himself said he is in negotiations with several teams and is looking to find the most productive option for him, which can put him in a winning position as soon as possible, if he can.
He has been touted as one of the applicants to upgrade Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes, as well as a possible user as part of a move to Red Bull next season, while a switch to Audi would constitute a long-term vision that would place Sainz on the leading edge of his plans to move to the front of the grid.
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Sainz has stood by his recommendation when discussing the issue of his long-term career and has refused to make team-related calls, but insisted he needs his next step after leaving Ferrari to be based on competitiveness.
That said, he added that the features appeal to him as well.
Speaking to Chinese media about the other features that can be offered to him, Sainz said: “I think it all depends on what you are offered and the type of task you are assigned.
“As a driver, I’m going to look for the fastest option available, especially considering the form I’m in. I think if, with the right car and the right year, I can win races and be on the list, on the right track. The podium, as I’m proving this year, is therefore my number one priority as a driver: to win.
“It’s still in my curtains and it’s anything I’ll be looking for, but there’s definitely other very attractive features in the medium to long term that I’ll take into consideration and take into consideration.
“So, each option has its pros or cons. I’ll address them all, like I said before, the most productive thing is that all the features are still there. “
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