Carlos Sainz claims 2025 move crucial to decide faith in ‘lottery’ 2026 regulations

Carlos Sainz‘s team for the 2025 season onwards is one of the most talked about points of discussion this season. The Spaniard had multiple chances to confirm a seat with Williams or Audi. However, the 29-year-old has decided to play the long game and hasn’t put out any confirmations yet. Upon this question, Sainz has broken his silence and provided some sort of clarity.

Carlos Sainz found himself helpless after being unexpectedly ousted from Ferrari before the beginning of the 2024 season. Sainz was considered for a seat at multiple high-quality teams such as Red Bull, Mercedes, etc. However, the three-time race winner has still not accepted any offers yet. The Spaniard reckoned that the 2025 season was equally as important as the 2026 season to him.

For me, 2025 is equally important to 2026.

Carlos Sainz said, as reported by racingnews365.com.

The reason behind this was that Sainz believed the 2026 season would be a kind of ‘lottery.’ Hence, even if the 2025 move doesn’t prove to be beneficial, he could have control over the coming season under the new set of regulations. Additionally, the 29-year-old raised questions over the capabilities of the top teams even being able to ace the new regulations.

Why? Because I think 2026 is a lottery, so I could go somewhere, and any of the options that I have on top of the table and be successful or not. And even one of the top teams could nail it or not.

Carlos Sainz noted.

Carlos Sainz claims it is ‘impossible to predict’ which team will top the 2026 regulations

Red Bull’s current domination in the ground-effect era is thought to be ending with the new regulations in 2026. Additionally, Adrian Newey‘s departure from the team has further strengthened this claim. Sainz reckoned that it was ‘impossible’ to predict which team could top the 2026 season.

So, given that after everything I've seen, '26, it's almost impossible to predict who's going to be on top.

Carlos Sainz added.

Also, Sainz pointed out that it was clear where most of the drivers would end up in the 2025 season. However, for the Spaniard, it would be more important as compared to the other drivers on the grid. Subsequently, the 29-year-old reiterated how his performances during the coming season would be equally important in the next few seasons.

'25 is almost a bit more certain who's going to be where, and you can more or less know and predict where they're going to be. For sure, it's going to be important in my decision - it's not like I'm going to rule out '25. For me, '25 is equally important to '26 or '27.

Carlos Sainz concluded.

Carlos Sainz had started the 2024 season off in a great form which would’ve helped him build a great resume. However, Red Bull has already extended Sergio Perez as Mercedes rushes in to potentially lock Andrea Kimi Antonelli. As a result, Williams and Audi remain the two most viable options for the Spaniard to join in the 2025 season.

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