Carlos Sainz’s 2025 season might be doomed to fail

Carlos Sainz could be forced to slip down the pecking order in F1 next season due to a lack of offers from top teams.

Carlos Sainz’s 2025 season might be doomed to fail

Carlos Sainz (Via: Imago)

Carlos Sainz was the only non-Red Bull driver to win a race in F1 last season. The Spaniard was rewarded for his incredible performance by being replaced by Lewis Hamilton in 2025 at Ferrari. The 29-year-old is yet to finalize his new team for the upcoming season. However, it seems that things are not going in favor for Sainz.

Initially, Red Bull admitted that they were interested in signing Sainz to replace Sergio Perez. However, Milton Keynes reportedly are close to finalizing a one-year extension for the Mexican driver. On the other hand, Mercedes seems to be a closed door for Carlos Sainz as Kimi Antonelli becomes the prime prospect for the Silver Arrows.

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Carlos Sainz still has a couple of options for next season. The 29-year-old has been the priority for Audi. However, the Spanish driver is reportedly interested in joining Williams for 2025. Nevertheless, it seems that Carlos Sainz’s 2025 season might be doomed to fail.

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Carlos Sainz’s fall to midfield almost inevitable

The only non-Red Bull race winner from 2023 hoped to secure a seat at a top team next season. However, with just two midfield options left on the table, it is likely that Carlos Sainz will no longer fight for victories next season. Audi’s takeover of Sauber will not take full effect till 2026. With the Swiss team currently sitting at the bottom of the standings.

Lewis Hamilton and Carlos Sainz
Lewis Hamilton and Carlos Sainz (Via: Imago)

Williams might look like a better option for the short-term. James Vowles‘ leadership has improved the Grove-based team’s fortunes. However, it is clear that the British team would not be fighting for podiums at least for the foreseeable future.

Carlos Sainz would be focusing on the 2026 regulations. Ideally, Audi would seem as the most promising project considering the backing of the German carmaker. This even persuaded Nico Hulkenberg to join Sauber next season. However, the auto giant would need to invest heavily in the first couple of years to truly match the likes of Red Bull and Mercedes.

On the other hand, Williams remains one of the few independent teams on the grid for F1’s new era. Carlos Sainz would be betting heavily on the Grove-based team’s Mercedes power unit if he joins the British team next season. Although realistically Sainz would not be in the fight for the title at the British team.

Certainly, it seems that Carlos Sainz has no option but to persevere a couple of rough seasons in F1. The Spanish driver might need to wait it out till he could find a top seat in 2027. However, it is sad to see a promising top driver be forced down the grid despite winning two races since September last year.

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