Alpine make Sainz offer in bid to trump Williams and Audi

At the start of the Spanish Grand Prix weekend, Carlos Sainz indicated he is still keeping all options open for his future. 

The Spaniard has been forced to look for a new seat and is seeing interest from Audi and Williams, but now a new team has come into play. 

Alpine, under the leadership of Renault CEO Luca de Meo and the brand new advisor Flavio Briatore, is trying to lure Sainz in. In Barcelona, it became clear that Alpine has not given up hope on securing his signature. 

Alpine and Sainz were in constant contact and on Briatore's advice, De Meo is trying to bring the driver in for 2025. 

The well-known French car brand is considering discontinuing its engine project for 2026 and becoming a customer team, which could make the F1 team an interesting option for Sainz amid rumours it could enter a partnership with Mercedes. 

For Alpine, in turn, it would be a strong move to attract an established name such as Sainz.

In the Barcelona paddock, Sainz's entourage, Briatore and De Meo spoke several times. This did happen in public, so it is not a specific indication that Sainz will actually choose Alpine.

RacingNews365 does understand that De Meo in particular was very insistent on Sainz's arrival before the race weekend. 

The Renault CEO has shown that the team is doing everything in its power to convince Sainz. It would also be a big moment for the recently appointed Briatore to present Sainz as its new driver for 2025. 

The question, however, is whether Alpine still has time to persuade Sainz. Recently, it seemed that Williams and Audi had the best chance to do so, with Williams appearing to have an advantage. 

However, Sainz reiterated after the race in Spain that he still hasn't made up his mind. Whether Sainz will give a definitive answer before the Austrian Grand Prix is therefore still unclear.

Alpine may therefore have some time to present its future plans to its entourage. The parties are also familiar with each other, as Sainz also drove for the French team at the end of 2017 as well as in the full season in 2018.

Sainz has not had to complain about a lack of interest after it became known that Ferrari was moving on to Lewis Hamilton. 

However, the moment of "the decision" is getting closer and closer, and no doubt Sainz will make a choice soon, as he made clear prior to the weekend in Spain.