Sainz dismisses sabbatical talk as 'best option' revealed

Carlos Sainz has shut down speculation of a potential sabbatical from F1 in 2025 if he is unable to secure a plum seat.

The Spanish driver has been described as the bottleneck in the driver market, as he evaluates offers from Stake/Audi, Williams and Alpine with a seat also open at Mercedes and one possibly at Red Bull if Sergio Perez continues to underwhelm. 

Ferrari racer Sainz is keen to remain at a competitive level in grand prix racing, having driven for the Maranello concern since 2021, picking up three race wins, but has been mulling over his options since it was announced Lewis Hamilton would take his seat for '25. 

In the past, some drivers have opted to take a sabbatical for a year given the lack of appealing options on the market, but this is something Sainz firmly dismissed.

"Absolutely not, a sabbatical is not even in my head," Sainz declared to media including RacingNews365. 

"I am happy in Formula 1, I love Formula 1 and I would rather go down to a midfield team and help and use my skill to try and find the right way than taking a year off or being a third driver for anyone. 

"I am competitive and know I can bring to a midfield team that standard.

"My best option for next year would be a championship-winning car, and that is my number one priority as these talks about my future have happened. 

"The likelihood of that, we all know, is small but that's always been my target, and if that doesn't happen, then I'll choose what is best for my future."

'Not ideal' still to have future not certain

Sainz has had a mixed 2024, including losing his seat, missing Saudi Arabia due to appendicitis, winning in Australia and being linked with top seats including those at Mercedes and potentially Red Bull. 

That has been tempered by Ferrari dropping off the pace in recent races, with Sainz taking two podiums in the nine races since Japan. 

He feels the environment is not ideal to him having an ideal platform to perform.

"On a personal level, it has been a season of up and downs, with some very good ups at the beginning with our competitive car that was allowing me to fight for a lot of podiums," he said.

"I truly enjoy that and wish we can get ourselves back into that position as soon as possible.

"It hasn't been easy having to do with the missing a race [Saudi Arabia], but mainly with all the discussions about my future going on in the background. 

"I've said many times it is not ideal for an athlete sitting here right now to perform at the highest level of their life without knowing where you are going to be next year. 

"I do believe there's still potential inside me, but given the circumstances, I think I've been performing at a good level with everything that has been going on.

"I am still enjoying myself and trying to be grateful and appreciative of the position that I am in and just trying to nail every weekend and go into each race like it is the last and in the meantime, having to handle everything behind the scenes about my future."