Carlos Sainz claims joining Audi would depend on a ‘lot more’ than father Carlos Sainz Sr’s praise for the German carmaker

Carlos Sainz made it clear that his father Carlos Sainz Sr's positive comments about Audi will not be the deciding factor over his F1 future.

Carlos Sainz claims joining Audi would depend on a ‘lot more’ than father Carlos Sainz Sr’s praise for the German carmaker

Carlos Sainz Jr. (L), Carlos Sainz Sr. (R), Audi show car (C) (images via IMAGO).

Carlos Sainz is yet to finalize a team for the 2025 season after being ousted from Ferrari for Lewis Hamilton. The 29-year-old has been the top priority for Audi before the German manufacturer’s arrival in 2026. However, Sainz hasn’t showcased a lot of interest in Audi due to some unknown reasons. The Spaniard is still playing the waiting game for a better opening on the grid.

Carlos Sainz was the prime candidate for Audi alongside Nico Hulkenberg, who already finalized a deal. The 29-year-old received an ultimatum of two weeks to confirm his job at Sauber and then Audi. However, Sainz reportedly didn’t respond to that. Speaking on the Audi gig, the Spaniard reckoned that his father would always be in favor of the German car maker. Carlos Sainz Sr. was confident of Audi’s chances of making it to the top of Formula 1. Sainz Sr. has raced with the German carmaker in rallying.

For sure, my Dad, he will always say good things about Audi, the project, and how confident he is that Audi will make it to the top in Formula 1.

Carlos Sainz said, as reported by racingnews365.com.
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However, for Sainz Jr.’s final decision, there were a lot of factors involved before finalizing a deal with Audi. The 29-year-old showcased his hopes with the German team to be able to fight for victories in the future. Additionally, the Spaniard wished the team luck despite deciding if he was joining the team or not. Hence, despite promising prospects, Carlos Sainz’s comments were potentially pointing towards his decision not to join the team.

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But in my decision, and obviously in everything, there are a lot more factors involved, I really hope Audi in the future can fight for wins because it would just mean one more car fighting for wins, and a massive brand like they are, and I wish them the best without even having decided if that's a possibility for me or not.
Carlos Sainz added.

Carlos Sainz claims Volkswagen’s projects have managed to win in motorsports before

Audi will join the Formula 1 grid for the first time in 2026. Hence, Sainz shared his opinions about Volkswagen’s (Audi’s owner) projects in the motorsport realm before. The 29-year-old claimed that the German manufacturer’s projects had always managed to score wins, be it with Audi or Porsche. Hence, the team could seriously challenge the top order of the teams for victory.

If you follow the Volkswagen projects, every time they've been involved in motorsports - doesn't matter if it's with Porsche, with Audi or any of the Volkswagen Group - they've managed to win.
Carlos Sainz noted.
A show model Audi Formula 1 car
Audi (Via IMAGO)

According to the Spaniard, this was a significant asset for a team’s entry in Formula 1. Audi has showcased promising prospects already despite Sauber’s degrading form. Sauber could be greatly helped by the German carmaker’s entry by the 2026 season. Hence, these factors were very important to be considered according to Sainz.

I think that's a very important asset and something very important to consider.
Carlos Sainz mentioned.

Carlos Sainz might have some other plans in motion for his future. Sainz has been talked to join potentially Red Bull and even Mercedes in the coming season. However, these situations are very conditional and highly unlikely. Hence, the coming season will be highly exciting to see how it all pans out for Carlos Sainz.

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