Carlos Sainz has revealed the two main factors he is looking for when it comes to signing for a new team in Formula 1.
The Spaniard will part ways with Ferrari at the end of the current campaign to be replaced by seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton, who is making the move from Mercedes.
Several destinations have been rumoured to be awaiting Sainz including Mercedes and Stake, the latter of which will become Audi in 2026.
As he searches for a new home in F1, Sainz has named two areas that he wants to tick off when it comes to putting pen to paper.
“[I’m] looking for a project first that allows me to win and be performing [at the front] as soon as possible,” he told media including RacingNews365.
“But [I’m] looking at stability and how important stability and a project together in medium to long term is, to build a strong team and a team to understand the driver and the driver to understand the team.
“With those two things in mind and those two things that you need to put into the equation, I will take my decision [while] taking my time.”
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Sainz plays down paddock talks
Sainz hinted that he has no current potential destination in mind: “I’m completely open-minded.
“But obviously I need conversations with everyone to see what everyone offers and what everyone has in mind.
“Then with all these options in place, I will take what's best for my career and for myself as an individual and a driver. The good thing is that I have time.”
When it was put to him that his father was spotted talking to Helmut Marko at Red Bull, Sainz maintained that such conversations are normal.
“You see my dad or my manager saying hello to Helmut Marko, remember that we had a great relationship with him, the same [way] that we have a good relationship with Toto [Wolff, Mercedes Team Principal], with anyone on the grid really.
“It’s normal at this stage of the year, but also, we haven't seen each other for three or four months. You're going to say hello to each other.”
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