Carlos Sainz has a problem of plenty, unlike several other F1 drivers. Though his compatriot Fernando Alonso has shut Aston Martin’s doors with his contract renewal, Red Bull, Mercedes, and Audi are still in talks with Sainz. Among these, Audi remains a prominent team for the Ferrari driver’s transfer, considering his father Carlos Sainz Sr’s connection with the German manufacturer. But accepting a team’s offer also involves knowing which driver he’ll be lining up with.

Most top drivers on the current grid have their contracts ending in 2024 or going through till 2026. Sainz belongs in the former pack, and the other drivers that do will also have their F1 future decided this year. If they sign multi-year contracts that stretch into 2026, Audi will have no use for them. But the drivers whose contracts end in 2025 would be the German manufacturer’s prime target. This includes George Russell and Alex Albon.

With Lewis Hamilton gone, Mercedes will need Russell’s experience for 2026 and beyond. This leaves Albon. The Williams driver’s contract will end in 2025 and could be an Audi prospect for 2026. But according to BBC, Albon is not even on their radar. Sainz is Audi’s (currently Sauber) prime prospect, who they are also ‘pushing’ for an answer on the contract.

Along with him, Haas’ German driver Nico Hulkenberg and Sauber’s Valtteri Bottas are the other drivers on their watchlist. “Audi/Sauber might seem a better bet on paper (for Alex Albon), but they seem to be aiming primarily for Carlos Sainz and Nico Hulkenberg, with Valtteri Bottas also an option,” Andrew Benson wrote for BBC.

While signing for Audi might be an easy deal for Sainz, it might not be ideal. A new team entering F1 when entirely new regulations are introduced sounds like a recipe for disaster.

Carlos Sainz warned against joining “Dangerous” Audi

Analysts like Lawrence Barretto have urged Carlos Sainz to avoid accepting the Audi offer. They reckon that Audi, who’ll join F1 in 2026, will most likely rot in the midfield for a few years before they hit the nail on its head to become a frontrunner, like any newcomer. Former F1 champion Jacques Villeneuve believes the same but with more aggressive terminology.

“What’s dangerous with constructors when they come in is they can easily in five minutes decide, ‘okay, we’re gone, bye’ and they leave and they don’t care,” Villeneuve told Sports Illustrated. “They’re great for the sport, but they’re also very dangerous in that respect. Where a team like Williams cannot leave. It exists with and because of F1.”

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Audi might indeed have the majority focus on their non-racing operations. Whereas a team like Williams earns their bread and butter from F1, nearly ending their chances of ever exiting F1. Interestingly, Sainz has been linked with Williams too – he could join Albon there if not Albon joining him at Audi.