Where should Sainz go for 2025?
Added 2024-07-02 08:00:06 +0000 UTCIf you were in charge of Carlos Sainz's destiny for next year (and beyond?) where would you tell him to sign?
Comments
So much of this comes dpown to the short-term versus the long-term. Perhaps most outsiders would say, stay focussed on the long-term. But careers in F! can be fragile things. If Carlos went to Sauber/Audi he might be at the back of the grid for 3+ years as Audi powers up. That powering up process would likely go as Williams already has begun two years ago, after their funding deal from Carrolton VC. And Williams are barely making Q3 on a consistent basis. So Carlos may be in for a long slog. Williams may be on the verge of a breakthrough, but Carlos would really be betting on if there is a quality operation in place at Williams which can steal the march on the 2026 regulations. Which brings us to Alpine--home now of Briatore! Alpine seems to be in the best shape of the three possibilities for the short-term. But Carlos would have to see and hear in detail about what Renault's plans are for the Alpine team in the long-term. Then has has to balance the choices, which unless you really, really believe in Audi acing the 2026 build, I think Carlos' decision comes to Williams or Aipine. I like James Vowles a great deal-smart, savvy, principled. But I'd tilt towards a 2-year deal with Alpine, which would balance security with building options for the 2027+ seasons. Carlos doesn't turn 30 until this September. Shopping oneself in 2026 Silly Season--either a proven winner or a great driver escaping a bad situation--would be my choice for a Yellow Brick Road.
Q
2024-07-02 20:56:40 +0000 UTCAlpine seems to have the strongest car of those three right now, but is consistently battling for minor points finishes better than doing development work at Audi? I don't think so, so Audi it is for me. Take a gamble - it might turn out great towards the back end of Sainz' career.
Jan Alexander
2024-07-02 12:39:22 +0000 UTCIt is a really hard choice but I think overall I'd be tempted to go for Audi. I think Vowles is a great leader and that Sauber is probably the worst team at the moment in terms of on-track operations, but you can't ignore the success Audi has had in pretty much every category it has entered. I think Alpine look like they are heading in the right direction and bringing back Briatore is probably going to help things overall. However, the fact that they are considering dropping their works engine status is a little concerning in terms of their long term aims.
Mark Martin
2024-07-02 10:47:10 +0000 UTCI can’t see what Sainz would be getting out of Alpine that he wouldn’t get at Audi. And I find Williams to be the most convincing of turning things around in the next few years
Kieron Holden
2024-07-02 09:09:50 +0000 UTCAndrea Moda
Lawrence Tapp
2024-07-02 09:05:14 +0000 UTCHaha that's the one!!
Kieron
2024-07-02 08:44:16 +0000 UTCSainz should just wait. He deserves a second seat with a top team IMO. Something will come up. For now Sauber has the most potential. Vowels doesn’t seem to get that team on the road, no matter how good he can explain the problems.
Sex for breakfast
2024-07-02 08:37:41 +0000 UTCWhich team? 😂 Sounds like you mean… Williams?
The Race
2024-07-02 08:19:28 +0000 UTCAs the '25 cars will just be a reheat of this year's cars wouldn't he be better taking a sabbatical a LA Prost' 92 and stepping into Audi's first car in '26?
Nick of Oz
2024-07-02 08:18:17 +0000 UTCThe team seem to have a clear vision, honestly about this and where they are, can the same be said for the other 2 teams?
Kieron
2024-07-02 08:03:46 +0000 UTC
