Sainz never ’really close’ to joining Mercedes during 2024 talks

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Carlos Sainz has revealed that despite the intense speculation surrounding last year’s driver market frenzy, a move to Mercedes was never close to materializing.

The Spanish driver, now racing for Williams after departing Ferrari at the end of last season, addressed lingering questions about why he didn’t end up replacing Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes.

In an interview on the High Performance Podcast, as he reflected on the pivotal career choices he faced ahead of the 2025 season, Sainz dispelled the long-held belief that a Mercedes contract had ever been on the table.

“Not really,” the Spaniard said when asked if he came close to signing with the Silver Arrows.

“We spoke a lot with Toto and everyone else at the time and I was certainly one of the options that was considered.

“But how close was I? You can ask Toto that. But I think he is very happy with Kimi Antonelli.”

Indeed, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff ultimately chose to promote 18-year-old Antonelli to a race seat alongside George Russell for 2025, thus prioritizing youth over Sainz’s proven experience.

On Red Bull and Facing Verstappen Again

Another rumored destination was Red Bull, where Sainz began his F1 career as Max Verstappen’s teammate at Toro Rosso.

Though the reigning world champions never made a move for him, Sainz admitted he would have welcomed the challenge – even with the difficulty others have faced partnering Verstappen.

“I think everyone's having a really tough time being Verstappen's team-mate,” he said. “I can only say that when I was Max's team-mate, I didn't have this tough time.

“Obviously, I was incredibly surprised with how quick he was, with how he's an insane driver. He's probably going to go on to be one of the best-ever in history, if he's not already one of the best-ever in history.

“But that first year together since then, has given me the confidence to know I can be up against anyone. I've been team-mates with Charles [Leclerc], Lando [Norris], with Nico Hulkenberg.

“I've been, I think, team-mates with very quick guys and probably the best in the sport, and now Alex [Albon], incredibly fast also.

“So it just makes me want to be up against the best still, it hasn't made me go on like, 'No, I don't want', I know I can take it, and I know I've been successful in the past.”

Read also: Sainz reveals battle with inner demon to not ‘tear Ferrari apart’

At Williams, Sainz continues to assert himself as one of the grid’s most consistent and respected drivers – even as the sport’s power balance continues to shift around him.

His remarks offer a rare, honest look at the inner workings of F1's driver market, and a quiet confidence in his place among its elite.

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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.