Sainz sees ‘best options still open’ for 2025, but more time needed

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Carlos Sainz finds himself a coveted free agent with his “best options still open” on F1’s driver market for 2025, but the Spaniard insists it’s going to take some time for everyone to “make up their mind”.

Sainz was dealt a blow when Ferrari opted to replace him with the legendary Lewis Hamilton for the 2025 season.

The unexpected high-profile shift, announced just before the start of the 2024 season, led to the sport’s driver market becoming a hotbed of speculation, with Sainz right in the thick of it.

Fernando Alonso's recent decision to extend his contract with Aston Martin has shut a potential door, but Mercedes and Red Bull have yet to finalize their line-ups for 2025, and Sainz is of high interest to both top teams.

Read also: Russell will ‘welcome anybody’ as his 2025 teammate

Furthermore, Audi/Sauber is also a potential landing spot for the three-time Grand Prix winner, although many doubt the Spaniard would be keen on putting in the groundwork for the German manufacturer as this would not align with his immediate championship aspirations.

“For sure all my best options are still open,” Sainz said on Thursday, ahead of this weekend’s Chinese Grand Prix.

“I think that’s a positive thing and something that requires a bit of time given the situation of the market.

“It’s going to take some time for everyone to make their own mind and their own decisions. But the good options are still open.”

Sainz insists he remains first and foremost focused on his immediate performance with Ferrari rather than on his future. However, while not affecting him currently, the Spaniard would prefer a swift conclusion to his current talks.

“There’s been barely any progress over the last couple of weeks, so there’s nothing really to update you on,” he added.

“Obviously it gets to a point where the sooner everything develops the better, it’s not like it’s affecting my performances at all this year, but at the same time it’s better the earlier you take it out of your head.

“But it requires some decision-making, so now it’s time to let that happen and see how things progress.”

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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.