F1 News: Carlos Sainz's Team Responds To Audi Rumours

Carlos Sainz's team has responded to recent reports of the Spanish driver signing a pre-contract with Audi.

Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz's team has denied any preliminary agreement with Audi for the 2025 season. 

Despite rumours, Sainz's focus remains on renewing his contract with Ferrari, which is set to end after the next season. His ambition is to continue his partnership with Monegasque driver and current teammate Charles Leclerc at Ferrari's base in Maranello.

Addressing the speculations, someone from Sainz’s inner circle mentioned, as quoted by Motorsport.com: 

“Plan A is Ferrari. Plan B is Ferrari and plan C also remains Ferrari”.

Audi, however, has shown evident interest in Sainz. Yet, his unwavering commitment to Ferrari implies that if an extension is offered by the Italian racing giants, the current duo of Sainz and Leclerc is likely to persist beyond 2024.

Ferrari team chief Fred Vasseur is not divulging any future contractual plans at the moment. Instead, his attention is honed on refining the SF-23 F1 car for the upcoming races, particularly the U.S. Grand Prix. 

Beyond the season, there is a concerted effort to enhance the technical crew for the anticipated 2024 vehicle. This team comprises of notable figures like Enrico Cardile, expected to be the technical director; Enrico Gualtieri, overseeing engines; Diego Tondi, the chief aerodynamicist; and Fabio Montecchi, leading the vehicle concept.

Meanwhile, Audi's strategic collaboration with Sauber is subtly unfolding. The gradual increase in their partnership is anticipated to peak with the introduction of Audi’s engines in 2026. Andreas Seidl, the CEO of the Sauber Group, while sketching out plans for 2025, may not include Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu. With Audi's goal of a solid footprint in F1, they are on the hunt for racers who mirror their ambitious vision for the future but there has not been any confirmations of specific drivers at the moment.