F1 News: Red Bull Confirms Carlos Sainz's 'Lucrative' Offer From Audi

Alex Harrington | Apr 18, 2024

May 6, 2023; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz (55) of Spain waves to the / Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Carlos Sainz, currently in his best season, faces a turning point as he considers an offer from Audi. Red Bull's Helmut Marko acknowledged the offer, admitting it surpasses what Red Bull could offer the Ferrari driver.

Key Takeaways

• Carlos Sainz is considering a significant offer from Audi for the 2025 season, despite ongoing discussions with Red Bull, who admit they cannot match Audi's proposal.
• Sainz remains optimistic about his future in F1, focusing on maintaining his performance amid the slow progress of contract negotiations.
• The driver market dynamics are highlighted by Sainz's situation, with teams like Red Bull and Audi adjusting their strategies as they compete for top talent.

In the unfolding plot within Formula 1, Carlos Sainz is at the center of a high-stakes negotiation as he wraps up his tenure at Ferrari. Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko recently revealed that despite their interest in retaining Sainz's talents, they face stiff competition from Audi, who has extended a significant offer to the Spaniard.

"We're talking to him, he's having his strongest season in Formula 1. But he has a very lucrative offer from Audi that we can't match or beat," the advisor to the Milton Keynes outfit admitted. "But we still know him from the Toro Rosso days, even back then he drove with Max.

"But it really hurt him back then when we at Red Bull relied on Verstappen and not on him."

Sainz, who will be leaving Ferrari at the end of 2025, has expressed optimism despite the uncertainties surrounding his future. His current focus is on maintaining performance levels while navigating the complexities of contract negotiations. The shifting dynamics within the F1 market have been notably influenced by Aston Martin's decision to extend Fernando Alonso's contract and likely retain Lance Stroll, effectively closing one potential avenue for Sainz. But the Spaniard's close connection to Audi, through his father, may see his future stabilize.

Despite Aston Martin no longer holding a seat for the driver, Sainz remains positive about his future.

"All my best options are still open, which I think is a positive thing," he told Sky Sports F1.

"Given the market situation, however, it obviously requires a bit of time. I think it's going to take some time for everyone to make their own mind and their own decisions. But the good options are still open. There’s been barely any progress over the last couple of weeks, so there's nothing really to update you on.

"It gets to a point when the sooner that everything develops, the better, because at the same time, it's not like it's affecting my performances at all this year. But the earlier you take it out of your head, the better. But it requires time, and it requires some decision-making. It's time to let that happen and see how things progress."

The backdrop to Sainz's ongoing negotiations is his impressive stint at Ferrari, where he is expected to remain a key player until being replaced by Lewis Hamilton for 2025. His market value has evidently increased, with top teams vying for his services with him currently leading the Scuderia in victories, despite his unexpected exit from the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix due to emergency surgery.

As teams like Red Bull and new entrants like Audi recalibrate their strategies, the driver market continues to offer a fascinating subplot to the racing season.