Sainz warned over 'pissing people off' by playing F1 waiting game

Carlos Sainz has been warned against playing "a waiting game" in deciding which F1 seat to accept next season or risk annoying several teams. 

After being told before this season started he would be replaced at Ferrari by Lewis Hamilton, Sainz is without a seat for next season but has several options on the table, including Stake/Audi, Williams and Alpine. 

Mercedes has also been speculated as a potential option for Sainz in an in-direct swap with Hamilton, although that appears to depend on whether the Silver Arrows take a risk and promote teenage star Andrea Kimi Antonelli from F2.

The Spaniard has remained calm about his future and insisted he will take as long as he needs, something 1997 F1 champion Jacques Villeneuve believes is a risky strategy that could backfire.

“He is still probably hoping for Mercedes, that Antonelli is not good enough so the seat is available for a few years," Villeneuve told OLBG.

“But playing the waiting game you could find out you are the last one standing and the last one standing is not a positive here. 

"At some point, you are bound to annoy other teams who have made you amazing offers. He seemed certain to be joining Williams, and then something happened.

“When you get a good offer and delay and delay at some point you will piss people off and they won’t want him. You end up signing very late and you make it obvious to that team that they were only your third choice. That is not the best thing to do either.”

Sainz a 'cool cat'

Since it was announced ahead of this season that Hamilton will be replacing Sainz next campaign on a multi-year contract, the 29-year-old has been resolute in addressing his future.

The Spaniard has not complained or spoken badly about Ferrari, despite knowing he is being replaced, with Audi's project long-tipped to be a destination for Sainz, even before the Hamilton news was announced.

Williams then appeared to be the most likely destination after James Vowles turned on the charm offensive, before Alpine made a move to re-sign Sainz after his 2017-2018 spell with the Enstone team. 

Villeneuve raced for Williams in his title-winning season in 1997 and believes Sainz's attributes and ability to improve a team are a great fit for the Grove-based outfit.

“He got to McLaren and the team started getting better," Villeneuve said. "He left and it kind of plateaued and suffered when [Daniel] Ricciardo went there.

“Then he got to Ferrari and they started getting better.

“He has a great work ethic and the way he works with engineers, his feedback is great and it pays off. It has a lot of value. He is quick and competitive and he seems to react well under pressure.

“When he was dropped by Ferrari he did not react badly.

"He reacted like a cool cat. That makes a lot of difference. He would be great for Williams who needs two drivers like that. They are on their way up."