Hot property Sainz pushing for faster contract talks

Carlos Sainz has revealed that he is in discussion with several teams regarding his F1 future, but the outgoing Ferrari driver wants to know “sooner rather than later” where he’ll be racing in 2025.

Following Ferrari's decision to pair Charles Leclerc with Lewis Hamilton for 2025, Sainz remains unemployed for next season.

However, Sainz's recent performances, including his win last time out in Australia just two weeks after undergoing an appendectomy, have piqued the interest of several top teams.

Replacing Hamilton at Mercedes is a possibility, while Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has earmarked Sainz as a potential candidate for Sergio Perez’s seat in 2025.

Furthermore, Aston Martin is also reportedly taking a keen interest in the three-time Grand Prix winner, while Audi- Sauber is rumored to have presented Sainz with an "ultimatum."

Read also: Jordan has ‘gut feeling’ about Sainz’s next F1 move

Recognizing his enviable position, Sainz has urged for faster contract negotiations with those parties interested in his services.

"Talking obviously to a few”, he replied when asked in Suzuka on Thursday how his contract talks were going.

"That's what my management team and myself should do when I don't have a job for next year yet, so yeah, we're talking to pretty much all of them.”

While he avoids revealing specific details about his discussions with different teams, it's clear Sainz has options and is ready to capitalize on a unique opportunity in his career.

"It's just a matter of obviously going more into detail and seeing the more realistic options and what are the best options for me and for my future, which I don't have any news for you or nothing to say here today,” added the Scuderia driver.

"The only thing I would say is that, obviously, it's time now to speed up a bit everything and hopefully we can get it sorted sooner rather than later."

It’s been two weeks since his remarkable win in Melbourne. Asked if he has now completely recovered from his appendicitis, Sainz said: "Yeah, I think so.

“I've been riding my bike this week. I stayed in Australia for a week and started going back to the gym.

“Still obviously not lifting heavy numbers like I used to do in the past, but at least I can get my training done and I'm feeling back to 100 per cent.”

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.