Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has denied being aware of any offer being sent Carlos Sainz's way by Audi.
Sainz is currently seeking a new Formula 1 home after Ferrari opted to drop the Spaniard for 2025 in favour of seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton.
Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko recently stated the Milton Keynes-based outfit was talking to him over a drive for next year but admitted it was unable to match an offer on the table from Audi.
Sainz has been linked with a switch to the German manufacturer who will join the grid in 2026 in a move that would see him partner Nico Hulkenberg, who has already signed up to the programme.
However, Horner affirmed that Red Bull is not privy to any proposal from Audi to Sainz.
"Firstly, we're not aware of any offer, Horner told media including RacingNews365.
“It's not been disclosed to us what Audi may or may not have offered to Carlos, and it would be inappropriate to comment on that.
“As I'm sure if we made an offer, it wouldn't be disclosed to another team. So, Carlos is on the open market for next year.
“He’s a hot prospect, which no doubt many teams will be showing great interest in. I think there's several that probably are."
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Audi deny using money as tactic
Audi will take over the Sauber-run team that currently runs under the Stake F1 moniker in two years' time.
Speaking recently to Auto Motor und Sport, the team's CEO Andreas Seidl insisted it is not using money as the main incentive to attract drivers.
“Our approach is clearly not to motivate drivers or other employees to come to us with huge amounts of money,” Seidl stated.
“We basically have the financial resources of a top team, but we really think about how we can use every franc or euro sensibly and efficiently.
“We want to attract people who want to be part of this journey and accompany Audi’s entry into Formula 1.”
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