MONACO.- Carlos Sainz Jr. continues to look for a new team for next year and his stock could increase with his strong performance with Ferrari this weekend at the Monaco Grand Prix.
There are several options with Sauber, Red Bull and Williams as the possible destinations when seven-time Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton leaves for Ferrari.
“They have the rumors and everything, but don’t worry, I won’t let anything slip,” said Sainz before the Monaco GP. “I will put all options on the table and make the right decision.”
According to some reports, Sauber presented an important offer and Red Bull has not confirmed whether the Mexican Sergio Pérez will continue next season. Williams could pair Sainz with Alex Albon, who recently signed a multi-year deal with big ambitions from boss James Vowles.
Sainz is in demand, but he doesn’t want to rush anything.
“I haven’t made a decision yet and I don’t know where I will be competing next year. I have not established a deadline either,” said the Spanish pilot. “With such an important decision at this stage in my career, I want to put all the cards on the table and make the right decision.”
Sainz turns 30 in September and it could be his last team change
It came as a surprise to F1 fans that Ferrari decided not to keep Sainz, although the fact that Hamilton was available was surely important in making this decision.
Sainz was the only driver to win a race last year in Red Bull’s dominant season and is one of two drivers who have given Red Bull’s Max Verstappen a run for their money this year. The other is McLaren’s Lando Norris, who won the Miami GP.
This year Sainz’s teammate Charles Leclerc received a multi-year contract with Ferrari, although he has not won since July 2022.
Beyond Ferrari:
Lando Norris has been on the podium four times in the last five races and his strong form has been the talk of the town. Even three-time F1 champion Verstappen is impressed.
Norris is seeking his second victory of the campaign with an improved McLaren, which formed a duo with the 24-year-old Briton and the 23-year-old Australian Oscar Piastri.
“We are focused and in good spirit. Of course the motivation and energy is high,” Norris admitted. “If we keep it high there is always a chance.”
Source: AP
