Carlos Sainz says he’s nearing the end of his decision-making process regarding his team choice in F1 for 2025, acknowledging the mental toll the prolonged period is taking on him.
With his departure from the Scuderia confirmed for the end of the 2024 season, Sainz is eager to finalize his plans for 2025.
While he may have initially entertained a wider range of possibilities, his options appear to have narrowed down significantly.
Red Bull's extension with Sergio Perez and Mercedes's rumored promotion of rising star Andrea Kimi Antonelli have closed the doors to those leading outfits.
This leaves two primary contenders for Sainz's signature: Williams and the soon-to-be Audi-backed Sauber team.
In Barcelona, Haas’ Kevin Magnussen to Sainz as the "cork in the bottle" for the driver market, highlighting the Spaniard's importance in resolving the remaining free seats.
While he admits to not having made a final choice yet, Sainz emphasizes the urgency to settle on a team for next year.
"The latest is that a decision will be taken very soon. I don't want to wait any longer," he told the media in Barcelona on Thursday.
"I think it's getting to a point where it's obviously taking space out of my head for quite a few weeks and months, and I think it's obviously time to make a decision.
"I'm still not sure one way or another, it's still something that I'm discussing with my team and brainstorming.
"It's been a very hectic few couple of weeks after Canada for me. So I haven't had time to really sit down and take a decision. And this is what I will target in the next few weeks."
While F1’s upcoming 2026 regulation changes are undoubtedly a factor, Sainz admits that he can’t base his choice on such an unpredictable future.
Therefore, while the immediate performance potential in 2025 is a significant factor, the Ferrari charger also emphasized the importance of gauging each team's long-term ambitions and development trajectory.
"I think 2026, guessing now in 2024 who's going to be performing better, it's almost impossible," he added.
"I used the term 'a bit of a lottery', or a 'coin toss' to see who's going to be quicker in '26, given that the regulation is so different.
"So 2025 becomes important at that stage if I cannot predict '26 and I don't know who's going to be performing better.
"But it is also the long term. It is also trying to understand the power unit side. It's trying to understand the team dynamics. All these factors come into play when taking a decision.
“That's why it's taking long and it's taking time for me to find some time within myself to take the decision."
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