Despite being one of the fastest and most talented drivers on the grid, the immediate future for Carlos Sainz looks murky. With his world rocked over Ferrari’s decision to bring in seven time world champion Lewis Hamilton to the team, and their doubling down of sticking with Charles Leclerc, Sainz finds himself in need of a drive for next season.
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Who will Carlos Sainz drive for after Ferrari?
With the 2025 driver market in full swing, in this article we take a look at where Sainz could end up and which teams will be battling it out for his signature. With it already being confirmed that 2024 will be Sainz’s last season with the Scuderia, the race to sign Sainz is well and truly on and there will be several team principles hopeful of bringing Sainz to their team.
The team that Sainz will be the most hopeful of joining is Mercedes.
In what could act as a straight swap between Lewis Hamilton and himself, team principal Toto Wolff will be looking for an experienced hand to sit alongside George Russell. Despite starting the season slowly, the silver arrows have enjoyed a massive upturn in form and look to have a race-winning car on their hands again.
It would be the one move that the Spaniard’s team would be desperate for him to make.
The line-ups for next season…
The 2025 Formula 1 grid is almost finalised and the options open to drivers like Sainz who are currently without a seat are limited. Let’s take a look at who is currently in line to start the first Grand Prix of the season.
Red Bull
Likely 2024 world champion Max Verstappen still has one more year left on his Red Bull contract, but team principal Christian Horner will be hopeful of signing their star man to a contract extension and there will be general uneasiness that the team is yet to secure his future.
Many believe that Verstappen and Red Bull will remain the team to beat in 2025 and their odds of further Championship success are shortening all the time.
With many non-red bull drivers, mechanics and associates expecting the seat alongside Verstappen to be made available, the paddock was stunned when Sergio Perez signed a multi-year deal to stay with the team. Despite his struggles over the past two seasons, Perez is seen as the ideal team-mate to Verstappen and has been able to grab one of the most valuable seats on the 2025 grid.
McLaren
The one team that Sainz would love to drive for is McLaren. Likely to be Red Bull’s main rivals next season, both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri both have confirmed seats beyond 2026 and look set to remain with the team for years to come.
Ferrari
Although it has been years since Ferrari last dominated Formula 1, being a Ferrari driver is still one of the most prestigious jobs in F1.Charles Leclerc is still regarded as the future of the team but the recent Monte-Carlo winner will need to step up if he is to become the F1 driver that many believe he can be.
Lewis Hamilton is the most eye-catching move ahead of the 2025 season starting. Hamilton has long had an affinity with Ferrari and admits his move to the team completes a childhood dream. “I feel incredibly fortunate, after achieving things with Mercedes that I could only have dreamed of as a kid, that I now have the chance to fulfil another childhood dream, driving in Ferrari red…”
Having not been in the championship race in both 2023 and 2024, the seven time world champion will be hoping that the Ferrari next season can improve and take him to yet further glory.
Mercedes
The prime option for Sainz is to try and steal the last seat at Mercedes, one of the best teams on the grid. George Russell has a confirmed seat, but whether Mercedes opt for youth in the shape of Kimi Antonelli remains to be seen.
Aston Martin
Another team closed to Sainz is Aston Martin. Two-time World Champion Fernando Alonso has recently signed a multi-year extension with the team and he will continue to be supported by Lance Stroll.
Alpine
Despite heavy rumours of a return back to Red Bull, Pierre Gasly will be staying at Alpine for next season. Esteban Ocon is out so there is a seat available here, but with the team yet to show they can consistently compete at the top end of the grid, the move may not overly appeal to Sainz.
Williams
One team that is heavily interested in bringing Sainz to their team is Williams.
Currently Alex Albon is the only driver set to return. Williams are now one of the best funded teams on the grid, having long struggled for both budget and pace. Whilst nobody can deny that the team has made strides this season, the opportunity to fight for wins looks scarce and that might be off putting for Sainz with the Spaniard saying, “Wherever I go next, I will look for stability and an interesting project, to become a champion in the future.” It seems unlikely that Williams will offer him that opportunity to win and could find themselves out of the reckoning.
Cash App RB
Yuki Tsunoda is back for RB, but he is currently without a teammate. Often viewed as a breeding ground for Red Bull, a seat may be available but it is highly doubtful that they will be able to afford a man of Sainz’s considerable talents.
Haas
Highly promising racer Oliver Bearman has bagged one spot for Haas next season, but who will drive alongside him is very much up for debate. Both Valtteri Bottas and Ocon have been linked with a move and there is no doubt that Sainz’s name would have been discussed in great length. Whether Haas have the speed to take Sainz back to the front of the grid remains to be seen.
Kick Sauber
One of Formula 1’s oldest but newest teams Kick Sauber, soon to be Audi. Nico Hülkenberg has already been confirmed but there are huge rumours that the team also really want to sign Sainz. The team will formally become Audi in 2026 and they have the financial strength and technical expertise to be a player in the future.
What’s next for Carlos Sainz in 2025?
With the futures of experienced drivers such as Sainz, Daniel Ricciardo and Kevin Magnussen both up in the air, trying to secure a seat in time for the start of next season certainly doesn’t look like being an easy feat. Of all the drivers who qualify, it is certainly Sainz that makes the most appeal but he needs to think his next move through carefully.
If he wants a seat at the front of the grid then a seat with Mercedes or the new Audi team look like the only viable options. However, if he is happy to join a project and try to take one of the grid’s lesser lights to glory, then a move to Williams could make sense.
Sainz has long believed that he is one of the best drivers in the sport, and you don’t drive for Ferrari otherwise. However, with his future in doubt, next year Sainz will need to show off all of his skills and show Ferrari what they are missing out on.
