“I’m still jobless for next year, so I guess this [win] is good for me,“ said Carlos Sainz after winning the Australian Grand Prix in the most dominant fashion. It is indeed a shame. Despite being the only driver who has won races other than Max Verstappen in the last 21 Grands Prix, Sainz still does not have a drive for 2025. The Spaniard finds himself in this situation because his current team, Ferrari, decided to replace him with Lewis Hamilton in the next season in what was labeled as a case of presidential decree from John Elkann.

With 12 seats going up for grabs in 2025, Carlos Sainz has undoubtedly put himself in front and center of the driver market with his recent form. But that itself is not the ideal situation for the 29-year-old as he might have one too many options to choose from. And that might, to some extent, cloud his judgment in choosing the best project where he can spend the next few years of his Formula 1 career. So what are the best possible options for Sainz in 2025?

How about the soon-to-be Audi Works team?

By now, Carlos Sainz has been linked to various top teams like Mercedes and Red Bull. However, Kick Sauber, which will become the Audi works team in 2026 was the first team that was linked to the Spaniard due to his father’s connections with the brand from his rallying career. And considering Audi’s commitment to quickly become a front-running team, Sainz might just be the right driver for them.

Sainz will undoubtedly bring a wealth of experience and wisdom to guide the team, especially with the prospect of reuniting with his former team principal, Andreas Seidl, with whom he worked for two seasons before joining Ferrari. The familiarity with the team boss would mean that Sainz will be able to transition smoothly into his role at Audi.

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However, many in the community, including Martin Brundle and Ralf Schumacher, do not believe that going to Sauber/Audi will be the perfect move for him because it is not guaranteed that the team will be competitive out of the box, something that would definitely weigh in the mind of the Spanish driver as well.

Could Carlos Sainz find himself at Mercedes?

While Mercedes may not be at its usual best at the moment, it is one of the most successful teams on the grid having won 8 consecutive constructors’ titles before the era of Max Verstappen began, and it is only a matter of time before they bounce back. It was even reported that during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix weekend, Sainz’s management initiated talks for a potential Formula 1 seat in the 2025 season.

Despite Sainz’s absence due to his appendicitis surgery, his team was actively engaged in negotiations with Mercedes, fueling rumors of a possible switch for the 3-time race winner. During the event in Jeddah, Carlos Sainz’s entourage, including his manager Carlos Onorio and his father Carlos Sainz Sr, held extensive discussions with Toto Wolff, the team boss of Mercedes.

These talks, as reported by the Italian media outlet, Corriere dello Sport, signify the beginning of negotiations, indicating a potential move to the Silver Arrows in Sainz’s career. While specifics of the discussions remain undisclosed, Sainz Jr. has expressed his criteria for selecting his next F1 contract. He emphasized the importance of finding a project that prioritizes winning and performance, along with stability for long-term success. Sainz highlighted the significance of building a strong rapport between the driver and the team, suggesting that his decision will consider these factors carefully.

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And with those criteria in mind, what could be a better option than his former team–Red Bull Racing? (although he technically raced for the Red Bull’s sister team)

Sainz could very well end up alongside Max Verstappen at Red Bull

One of the 12 drivers who are going out of contract at the end of 2024 is Sergio Perez. And it’s no secret that there has been a ton of speculation surrounding his contract extension, with Daniel Ricciardo being touted as the most probable replacement for the Mexican. However, with the Honey Badger’s recent form, he is more than likely to get the Nyck de Vries treatment.

And that’s where Carlos Sainz comes into the picture. A recent report revealed that Sainz was among the top names that were being considered at Red Bull if they needed to recruit a driver from outside the Red Bull family. And if Sainz would be willing to wait long enough, till the time Red Bull decides Checo’s future, he could find himself in the most dominant car on the current Formula 1 grid. To add to that, Carlos Sainz was part of the Red Bull Driver Academy so he is already familiar with the majority of the people who are part of the team.

And after a dominant performance in Australia, Red Bull boss Christian Horner has expressed just how attractive of a prospect it is to pair Sainz and Verstappen.

Where do you think Sainz will end up in 2025? Share your predictions in the comments down below.

Editorial Disclaimer: The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of EssentiallySports.