Rumours circulated last week suggesting that Carlos Sainz had signed a so-called '1+1 deal' with Mercedes as he seeks a new Formula 1 seat.
This arrangement would see him join the team for 2025 before an option, on Mercedes' side whether to keep him for 2026 and beyond, but RacingNews365 understands from sources close to the matter that no deal was signed - and that there will not be one before or during the Chinese Grand Prix weekend.
However, RacingNews365 can confirm that Sainz and Mercedes are in talks, with the 1+1 option a strong possibility being considered.
Such a deal would enable Mercedes to keep all of its options open for the future.
Should such a deal be agreed, it would enable Mercedes to evaluate protege Andrea Kimi Antonelli in 2025 to see if he is ready for promotion in 2026.
On Sainz's side, this would also enable him to keep his options open heading into 2026, with long-time potential suitors Audi officially joining the grid.
It would also keep Sainz potentially in the running for any seat that could open up at Red Bull, if either Max Verstappen or Sergio Perez leave, with the three-time grand prix winner keen to have certainty about where he will be driving next season as soon as possible.
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