German giants Audi reportedly comes up with a four-driver shortlist in case they fail to sign Carlos Sainz for 2025

Audi has already secured Nico Hulkenerg for the coming years of F1.

German giants Audi reportedly comes up with a four-driver shortlist in case they fail to sign Carlos Sainz for 2025

Audi and Carlos Sainz (Via: Imago)

Audi are set to enter the F1 grid at the start of 2026, with the team reportedly looking to sign experienced and talented drivers to kickstart their F1 campaign in a strong manner. They are rumored to have set their eyes on Carlos Sainz of Ferrari, who is set to leave the Italian outfit at the end of this season.

Nico Hulkenberg of Haas has already signed a contract with the Audi-controlled Sauber for the coming years. Audi has hence reportedly prepared a four-driver shortlist if they fail to sign Carlos Sainz, who happens to be their key prospect.

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As per reports from Blick, Audi has its eyes on the Alpine duo Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon, RB’s Yuki Tsunoda and Aston Martin reserve, Felipe Drugovich. Alpine duo Gasly and Ocon have their contracts expiring at the end of this season, so they seem like exciting prospects for Audi in 2025.

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As for Visa Cash RB’s driver, Yuki Tsonoda, he has been a promising driver and has shown over time that he can be a skilled driver with the right car and the right team strategies. Audi has also reportedly contacted Felipe Drugovich, a former F2 championship winner and the reserve driver for Aston Martin, for a seat in Audi in 2025, proceeding into 2026 when the German manufacturer officially enters the grid under its own branding.

Audi speaks of signing Carlos Sainz as an ‘important objective’

Carlos Sainz’s contract expires at the end of this season, with the Spaniard set to be replaced by Lewis Hamilton in 2025 at Ferrari. However, the 29-year-old driver is in the sights of several teams for the coming season, with Audi being the frontrunner.

Carlos Sainz
Carlos Sainz (Via: Imago)
We are working hard to grow this team and be able to offer our drivers a competitive future. And it is clear that we don’t just have one name on the list, but it is also clear that Sainz is a top driver and an important objective, not only for us, but also for other teams.
Alessandro Alunni Bravi told El Mundo Deportivo newspaper

Carlos Sainz has shown his worth as an elite F1 driver time and again, with three race victories to his name. Sainz has invited interest from the teams of Mercedes and Red Bull too, due to his sheer brilliance and competence.

The coming 2025 season will unveil some big moves by the teams of Audi-owned Sauber, Mercedes, Red Bull, and a host of other teams that are yet to sign drivers. The driver market is just one move away from going into utter chaos.

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