The time on Carlos Sainz’s 2025 contract decision is running out. He has reportedly rejected Audi’s (currently Sauber) “lucrative” offer by going past their deadline without a response. Red Bull and Mercedes could be his only worthwhile options now unless he is forced to choose Williams as a 1-year ‘stopgap’ solution for 2025. According to Sauber’s current driver Valtteri Bottas, whom Sainz could replace if he renews his Audi negotiations, the Ferrari driver is already pursuing Red Bull’s free 2025 seat.

Audi signing Nico Hulkenberg for 2025 has cut Bottas’ hopes of driving for the team massively. The Finnish driver is now competing with teammate Zhou Guanyu for the remaining seat alongside Hulkenberg. Additionally, Sauber declared Carlos Sainz as their dream signing during the Miami GP weekend, hinting at replacing Bottas to make space.

But, if Sainz were to sign for Red Bull, who has already offered him a contract, Bottas’ chances at a contract extension with Sauber increase. A win-win situation, but not for Sergio Perez, who would then be axed by RB. Fortunately for Bottas, this driver market move already seems to be in the works.

“Of course, he’s (Sainz) trying to sign for Red Bull,” Bottas said, as quoted by Motorsport. “The second option would be the second fastest car, which would be Mercedes. He’s also definitely negotiating a contract with Audi,” he added, contradicting rumors about Sainz rejecting Audi’s offer. “It will be interesting to see how the pieces come together in the coming weeks.”

Even after 6 race weekends, Sainz’s future remains up in the air. With the rumored Audi contract rejection, the F1 paddock expected him to announce his final decision. But the Spaniard’s statement about these speculations brought us back to square one.

Carlos Sainz crushes untrue rumors around the Audi contract rejection

Ahead of the Miami GP weekend, Spanish F1 journalist Antonio Lobato said that Sainz had rejected Audi’s contract offer. But when the Ferrari driver was questioned about it in Miami on Thursday, he denied any such development.

“No, that’s not correct,” Sainz told reporters about the contract rejection rumors. “There is no truth about it. As I’ve said before, there are certain things that they don’t depend fully on myself and there’s going to be some waiting to be done. But, in the meantime, is not like I’m, or we are, completely stopped.”

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Bottom line – there might not be enough development in Sainz’s negotiations with any team prospects. With each passing race weekend, the uncertainty only increases.