Carlos Sainz Jr. breaks down the timeline for making the final call on his new team after Ferrari’s exit

Carlos Sainz Jr. is going to be one of the sport's most sought-after drivers in 2025.

Carlos Sainz Jr. breaks down the timeline for making the final call on his new team after Ferrari’s exit

Carlos Sainz (via IMAGO).

At the start of February, the news of Lewis Hamilton joining Ferrari from season 2025 came out. That leaves Carlos Sainz as a free agent heading into 2025. Even though it’s his last season with the team, he will be ensuring professionalism and contributing to the growth of the SF-24 as he did, with McLaren in 2020. In the meantime, he will negotiate with the teams that do not yet have a driver for the 2025 season.

Signed by former Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto, Sainz sought to amend his contract with F1 boss Fred Vasseur to obtain a pay increase and a two-year extension that would have allowed him to remain with Ferrari until the new rules cycle in 2026. Sainz would have preferred to begin the World Championship with a more clear contractual situation. As it stands, he will begin the testing without a signed contract for season 2025.

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I don't know my next team yet. I have some time to decide which one it is. As I said previously, there are many options. We will make this decision in the coming months. I think I said I wanted to sort out my future before the first race, but now the scenario has changed a lot, as you can imagine. I think the process will be longer, but I can rest assured that when I make the decision I will have given myself enough time and enough information. 
Carlos Sainz Jr. said (H&T: formulapassion.it.)

The Spaniard is aware that he is among the most valuable competitors available, so he is not in a rush. There are multiple teams without drivers for 2025 that are interested in him. But he currently wishes to only focus on doing well in the Bahrain test and the season ahead to prove his worth once again to the garage.  

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Carlos Sainz might capitalize on Lewis Hamilton’s pressure as a lure to outperform Charles Leclerc.

Fans of Formula One racing around the world were stunned by Lewis Hamilton’s decision to join Ferrari in 2025. This decision affects not only Mercedes and Ferrari but also Carlos Sainz, who will step down from his seat at the end of this year. F1 analyst Simon Lazenby predicted that Sainz, who is not to be intimidated, would take advantage of Hamilton’s arrival in 2024 to surpass Charles Leclerc. 

Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc
Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc (Via IMAGO)
Can Carlos actually flip the situation on its head? Put pressure early on Charles Leclerc and outshine him and put himself in that shop window for others. 
Simon Lazenby said.

The 29-year-old Spaniard’s performance this season could impact his chances of a good deal at any desired team, as he is an unsigned driver with no confirmed seat for 2025. Rumors of joining Audi (now Sauber) were strong due to his father’s connections, but Audi might be his final destination. The Spanish driver should focus on his Ferrari season in 2024 to match Leclerc’s output.

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