F1 News: Carlos Sainz In No Rush To Secure 2025 Seat - "Chatting With All The Teams"
Carlos Sainz has articulated his intent to carefully deliberate on his future in Formula 1 beyond his tenure with Ferrari. Amidst the backdrop of Ferrari's unexpected decision to recruit Lewis Hamilton for the 2025 season, Sainz remains composed and unhurried in plotting his next steps.
Key Takeaways:
- After a four-year stint, Carlos Sainz will part ways with Ferrari, making way for Lewis Hamilton to join the team.
- Considering his options for the future, Sainz has mentioned Audi as a potential team for 2026, reflecting his open-minded approach to his next F1 chapter.
- Sainz emphasises the importance of focusing on the pre-season testing and the forthcoming 24 races, adopting a patient stance on his future endeavours as a 'free agent'.
As Carlos Sainz prepares to bid farewell to Ferrari at the conclusion of the 2024 season, the Spaniard is in no hurry to finalise his plans for the following year. The unexpected introduction of Lewis Hamilton to Ferrari's lineup has prompted Sainz to reassess his career path, albeit without any sense of urgency. Despite the unforeseen changes, Sainz remains steadfast, with a clear focus on the present challenges, including the upcoming pre-season testing and the dense racing calendar.
Sainz's philosophy in navigating his career transition is marked by a thoughtful evaluation of his prospects. He commented to the media:
"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 [right now] as we only have three days of testing, so you have to put your head on where you are losing time and then there will be plenty of time to sit down and decide.
"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."
Ferrari Press Image
The impending departure from Ferrari is not merely a professional milestone for Sainz; it also holds significant emotional weight due to the deep connections forged within the team and the broader F1 community. 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 Fred [Vasseur, 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."
Looking ahead, Sainz's contemplation of his 'free agent' status for 2025 is indicative of his meticulous planning and desire to align with a project that promises not just immediate relevance but sustained competitiveness and success in the sport. Sainz concluded:
"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.
"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 put together a winning project in F1."