Carlos Sainz denies he can prioritise ensuring that he positions himself for success under Formula 1’s new regulations with his next team as it’s “a bit like a coin toss”.
Sainz is seeking to secure his place on the F1 grid for 2025 following Ferrari’s choice to prise Lewis Hamilton from Mercedes to partner the incumbent Charles Leclerc.
The Spaniard is not thought to be short of suitors, having produced a strong start to 2024 that has seen him recover from appendicitis to front a Ferrari 1-2 in Australia.
But Aston Martin’s announcement last week that Fernando Alonso will continue with the marque appears to have closed one potential option Sainz could have pursued.
Rumours continue to link Sainz with the Mercedes seat that Hamilton will vacate, while he is considered a top target for Audi ahead of its takeover of the Sauber squad.
Asked ahead of this weekend’s Chinese Grand Prix whether he might have to gamble on a team that can’t guarantee success in the short term, Sainz retorted: “No.
“My best options are still open which I think is a positive thing and is something that quite obviously requires a bit of time, given the situation of the market.
“It’s going to take some time for everyone to make up their own minds and take their decisions, but the good options are still open.
“There hasn’t been any progress over the last couple of weeks, so there isn’t anything to update you on.
“Obviously, the sooner it gets to a point – the sooner everything develops – the better because, at the same time, it’s not like it’s affecting my performance this year, but the earlier that you take it out of your head and of the situation, the better.
“But it requires time and it requires some decision-making, so now it’s time to let that happen and see its progress.”
Despite addressing in Japan that conversations to finalise his next move would begin to “speed up”, Sainz has admitted that he will need to “consider all the options”.
A huge element that is set to determine the ex-McLaren racer’s decision is the impending regulation overhaul in 2026, which will see changes to engine and aero rules.
Amid predictions that the revamped formula could be more engine-dominated, Alonso explained that Aston Martin’s tie-up with Honda was a big factor in his renewal.
However, Sainz asserts that making such decisions based on a reset is “a bit like a coin toss” as “it’s impossible to know right now who is going to get it right for 2026”.
“So, even when I take the decision for when where I’m going to be 2026/2027 – it doesn’t matter how much you talk to teams, how much they sell you how good they’re doing with the engine – the reality is no one knows,” he continued.
“If someone wins in 2026, in my opinion, it’s not because of smart decision-making, but because you’re just in the right place and the right time.
“Regarding 2025, for sure my opinion is, with the level I’m showing and I’m driving now, obviously being in a competitive car would be very appealing for me.
“But, again, it doesn’t depend on me and I need to keep waiting.”
