Carlos Sainz has insisted that he will take his time over what offer he accepts for 2025, following speculation that some teams are becoming “impatient”.
The Ferrari driver is the most-wanted star available on the driver market for next season, and has offers from Williams, Audi/Stake F1 and, most recently, Alpine.
Sainz’s decision will have an instrumental impact on the driver market, as several other careers are dependent on where he decides to go once his Ferrari deal concludes.
He secured third in last weekend’s Austrian Grand Prix following the late collision between Max Verstappen and Land Norris, with the Spaniard having celebrated with Ferrari and team boss Frederic Vasseur.
Sainz has stressed he will not bow down to pressure from teams wanting to know his decision and wants to savour podium celebrations with Ferrari despite his upcoming exit.
“As I said before, for sure that pressure, I'm not going to receive it on a Sunday afternoon after a podium we are keen to enjoy,” Sainz informed select media including RacingNews365.
“As I said before, I think it's sometimes, like George was saying, we take it for granted when we're on one of these podiums, celebrating, wearing a Ferrari suit, and I was thinking, try to enjoy this moment because who knows when it's going to be the next time in the future.
“So as much as maybe there are some teams that are nervous or pressuring me, it's time for me also to enjoy this moment of being on a podium.”
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Taking time essential
Ever since it was confirmed ahead of the 2024 F1 season that Sainz would be replaced next year by Lewis Hamilton, the 29-year-old has stressed that he will not rush in making a decision for 2025.
It is a decision with significance behind it for the Spaniard, as wherever he joins for next year will likely be the team he will race for when the new power unit regulations are introduced in 2026.
Sainz wants time to assess every option to ensure his call is the right one, and has outlined to the teams interested in him that being impatient will not stop him from taking as long as he wants.
“And I'm going to be honest and straightforward with the teams, but it's such an important decision for me also that I'm going to take all the time that I need to take it,” insisted Sainz.
“And if there's teams that cannot wait or are a bit impatient, I cannot do anything about it.
“It's going to be my future, my decision, and I'm going to try and be as honest as possible with everyone and give myself the time that I need.”
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