F1 Rumor: Carlos Sainz Close to Contract Agreement With Mercedes to Replace Lewis Hamilton

Alex Harrington | Apr 12, 2024

Nov 17, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Scuderia Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz Jr. of Spain (55) reacts / Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

The Formula 1 driver market has been surrounded by plenty of speculation as Carlos Sainz appears on the verge of securing a seat with Mercedes for the 2025 season. This potential move comes as Mercedes aims to reestablish itself as the pinnacle of F1 competitiveness, a position it held for several years before recent challenges.

Speculation about Sainz's future intensified after key reports from Italian publications La Gazzetta dello Sport and Corriere della Sera revealed that discussions between Sainz and Mercedes were progressing. This development follows closely behind the news of Lewis Hamilton's impending exit from Mercedes, a team he led to multiple championship titles. According to these reports, if negotiations continue smoothly, we might see an official confirmation in the near future.

Sainz, who is currently without a confirmed seat for the 2025 season, has not dismissed the possibility of moving to Mercedes. Partnering with George Russell, who has already demonstrated his capabilities at Mercedes since 2021, Sainz could form a dynamic duo aimed at propelling Mercedes back to dominance after his incredible track record at Ferrari, being the only non-Red Bull driver to beat Max Verstappen since Russell's win in Brazil, 2022.

“I'm talking to a few [teams] because that's what my management team and myself should do when I don't have a job for next year yet,” Sainz admitted, as quoted by GPFans.

“So, we're talking to pretty much all of them. It's just a matter of obviously going more into detail and seeing the more realistic options and what are the best options for me and for my future, which I don't have any news for you or nothing to say here.

“The only thing I would say is that, obviously it's time now to speed up a bit everything and hopefully we can get it sorted sooner rather than later.”

Mercedes' team principal, Toto Wolff, has openly supported Sainz's candidacy throughout the season, acknowledging the Spaniard's potential to replace Hamilton, reflecting his proactive approach in securing top talent for the team's future. The endorsement by Wolff highlights Mercedes’ strategic consideration of Sainz as not just a replacement, but a key figure in their long-term planning.

Mercedes is believed to have offered Sainz a two-year contract, which would cover the upcoming period of regulatory changes in Formula 1 in 2026. This would be a critical time for Sainz to integrate into the team and leverage the new rules to establish a competitive edge.

As Mercedes maps out its future, there are also rumors that the team is evaluating prospects for young driver Kimi Antonelli, considering a potential seat with Williams. Mercedes will have to act fast if they want to claim Sainz, with Audi also reportedly interested in the Scuderia driver.