Carlos Sainz is eager to “pace up” his contract negotiations as he seems to safe a seat on the 2025 F1 grid.
Sainz, who took one other podium on Sunday on the Japanese Grand Prix, will depart Ferrari on the finish of this yr as he is changed by Lewis Hamilton.
The 29-year-old has been linked with Mercedes, Aston Martin, Pink Bull and Sauber, who will turn into Audi from 2026.
A transfer to Mercedes would sign a straight swap with Hamilton, becoming a member of Aston Martin would probably imply changing Fernando Alonso and switching to Pink Bull can be instead of Sergio Perez, except Max Verstappen surprisingly leaves.
Audi’s takeover of Sauber means there may very well be a brand new line-up, with the present pairing of Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu removed from sure.
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Sky F1’s Damon Hill asks Ferrari staff principal Fred Vasseur whether or not Carlos Sainz’s current spectacular performances are inflicting a headache for the staff, with the Spaniard set to go away on the finish of this season
“I am speaking to a couple [teams] as a result of that is what my administration staff and myself ought to do when I haven’t got a job for subsequent yr but. So, we’re speaking to just about all of them,” stated Sainz.
“It is only a matter of clearly going extra into element and seeing the extra sensible choices and what are the perfect choices for me and for my future, which I haven’t got any information for you or nothing to say right here.
“The one factor I might say is that, clearly it is time now to hurry up a bit all the pieces and hopefully we are able to get it sorted sooner reasonably than later.”
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On the Sky Sports activities F1 Podcast, former F1 strategist Bernie Collins and F1 YouTuber Matt Gallagher talk about whether or not Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz is an underrated driver
Sainz: I’ve no clue the place I shall be subsequent yr
Over the Japanese Grand Prix weekend, Perez said he expects to know what his future is in “a month” and Toto Wolff said “a number of the actually good guys are about to signal for a number of the different groups” when requested about Mercedes’ seat alongside George Russell for 2025.
Sainz made his F1 debut in 2015 however has by no means been rated this extremely as he’s the one non-Pink Bull race winner within the final 18 months, after profitable the 2023 Singapore Grand Prix and the Australian Grand Prix earlier this season.
He’s additionally outperforming Charles Leclerc at Ferrari this season and, together with Alonso, is the perfect driver and not using a contract for subsequent yr.
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Ted Kravitz is within the paddock to evaluate all the largest tales from the Japanese Grand Prix
“I’ve no clue the place I shall be subsequent yr. It is true we’re speaking to many groups,” Sainz advised Sky Sports activities F1 after his third place in Suzuka.
“I simply must hold centered on what I am doing, show to myself and everybody that after I’m given a quick automotive, I maximise what I am given and I ship.
“It has been a powerful begin to the season. With this automotive you’ll be able to shine a bit extra. With final yr’s automotive, I did performances much like this yr however you could not shine.
“It was a way more tough automotive to drive, much more degradation and also you had been trying backwards within the race. This yr you’re looking forwards and are overtaking, which lets you shine a bit extra. It helps however I’ll hold pushing.”
He added: “It additionally relies on different groups, what they select to go for. They know I am accessible, so let’s examine what occurs.”
Subsequent up is the return of the Chinese language Grand Prix on April 19-21, which can be the primary Dash weekend of the season. You’ll be able to watch each session reside on Sky Sports activities F1 and steam every F1 race and more with a NOW Sports Month Membership – No contract, cancel anytime
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