Retaining top talent is paramount for any Formula 1 racing team and Mercedes have been looking for a replacement for star driver Lewis Hamilton for several months. Among the potential candidates is Carlos Sainz, the Spanish driver who was replaced at Ferrari by Lewis Hamilton.
In a recent revelation, Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff confirmed that negotiations had taken place with Sainz, but no agreement had been reached yet. The Austrian has confirmed, however, that talks haven’t ceased but are continuing.
Negotiations with Carlos Sainz
In an interview with Car and Driver magazine, Toto Wolff shed some light on the discussions that have taken place with Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz.
“Yes, we have had talks with Carlos Sainz and we have discussed possible conditions,” Wolff revealed. The Austrian confirmed that the talks were serious and that both parties had explored the possibility of Sainz joining Mercedes for next season.
However, the negotiations hit a roadblock due to Wolff’s strategic decision to delay the finalisation of any cockpit positions until the autumn.
Wolff explained: “We took the decision that I did not want to confirm a cockpit until the autumn. I wanted to leave it open and see what happened with Max [Verstappen]. I wanted to see how Andrea develops and that means it could be delayed until September, October or even November.”
Delay tactics and their implications
Wolff’s strategy of delaying the decision was not well received by Sainz and his team. The uncertainty and postponement led to a mutual decision to part ways.
“We decided that it was best for them to do something else,” said Wolff. The delay was largely influenced by Wolff’s interest in developments surrounding Max Verstappen, the reigning world champion and Mercedes’ ideal choice to replace Hamilton.
However, Verstappen remains firmly tied to Red Bull, who have shown no inclination to release their star driver. Wolff is also keen to assess the progress of promising youngster Kimi Antonelli before making a final decision.
Update: Improved offers to lure Sainz
Carlos Sainz was actually set to be announced as a Williams driver at last weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix. Given that it was his home race, Williams team principal James Vowles would have seen it as perfect timing.
The F1 paddock was “certain” that Williams would unveil Sainz on Friday. That, in turn, would trigger an announcement from Mercedes that they had promoted Kimi Antonelli to replace Lewis Hamilton. But in the end, Sainz wasn’t quite ready to sign on the dotted line ahead of the race in Spain.
The uncertainty surrounding his future is set to drag on for another race. On paper, the 29-year-old is a highly coveted free agent. He’s won three Grands Prix in his F1 career, most recently in Australia in March, and has finished on the podium 22 times.
But according to Toto Wolff, Mercedes talks have got as far as discussing contract details, but have paused for now, and Red Bull, the other leading team with a potential vacancy, have opted to keep Sergio Perez instead. However this appears to be with some performance clauses which Sergio Perez already appears to be failing to meet.
Further, Christian Horner was concerned that signing Sainz would reignite his strained relationship with Verstappen from their Toro Rosso days. That stance has left him choosing between teams at the bottom of the grid, with Audi also a long-standing suitor.
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Alpine pushing for Carlos Sainz
The reason for Sainz’s reported hesitation with Mercedes, and then Williams, is that Alpine have made a renewed push to sign him. He previously spent a year at Enstone in 2018, when the team was still known as Renault. Indeed, according to F1TV journalist Lawrence Barretto, the £1.1 billion French team have now made an “improved” offer.
The pursuit has been going on for “months”, but they now seem more determined than ever. Sainz has yet to make a decision on his next destination. So now it appears to be a three-horse race between Alpine, Williams and Audi.
He would replace Esteban Ocon if he joins Bruno Famin’s team at Alpine. The team announced on Thursday morning that Pierre Gasly had signed a multi-year extension in the second seat.
Hamilton to assist rival Verstappen
Future prospects and speculation
None of the teams chasing Sainz can offer any guarantees. Vowles is an ambitious team principal, but Williams has scored only two points in 10 races this year. Audi, meanwhile, won’t enter F1 until 2026. That would mean joining a Sauber team that is currently rooted at the bottom of the standings, and relying on the German manufacturer’s wealth to ensure a rapid rise up the grid.
Alpine are also a works team, although they may not be for much longer as Renault CEO Luca de Meo explores external engine deals. They are the most likely suitors for Sainz in P7, but still haven’t fully emerged from their crisis.
Nevertheless, could Sainz may be inclined to take a ‘risk’ now that Mercedes is on hold, and Red Bull off the table. Alpine’s new executive advisor Flavio Briatore was seen ‘exchanging phone numbers’ with Carlos Sainz Sr. in the Spanish GP paddock, so he’s clearly wasting no time in stepping up the pursuit.
Karun Chandhok says the Ferrari star is in a ‘confusing’ situation with his future up in the air. Whichever team he chooses, he may be looking for a quick resolution at this stage.
For now, the situation remains fluid. Mercedes continue to weigh up their options, with Wolff playing a calculated waiting game. The team’s future line-up depends on several variables, including the performances and decisions of Verstappen, Sainz and emerging talents such as Antonelli.
As the season progresses, the dynamics within the teams and drivers will inevitably shift, making the next few months crucial in finalising next season’s line-ups.
The Mercedes dream and the Red Bull conundrum
For Mercedes, the prospect of signing Sainz was appealing because of his proven track record and ability to integrate quickly into a new team structure. However, Toto Wolff’s strategic delay, driven by the potential availability of Max Verstappen, complicated the negotiations.
Verstappen, currently the dominant force in F1, represents the pinnacle of driver talent. His potential move to Mercedes would be a game changer, offering the team a seamless transition from Hamilton’s era of dominance.
However, Red Bull’s steadfast refusal to entertain negotiations for Verstappen has left Mercedes in a precarious position. Christian Horner’s decision to retain Sergio Perez, despite his inconsistent performances, underlines Red Bull’s commitment to maintaining team harmony and avoiding the rekindling of old rivalries between Verstappen and Sainz.
This dynamic effectively excludes Sainz from joining one of the top two teams, forcing him to consider alternatives further down the grid.
Alpine’s offer and Audi’s long-term vision
Alpine’s renewed interest in Sainz adds another layer to this complicated saga. The French team, not considering the potential to lose an engine by Renault, would generally be thought to be backed by significant financial resources and a storied heritage, which represents a compelling option.
Sainz’s previous experience with the team, albeit under the Renault banner, provides a basis for a potential reunion. Alpine’s improved offer reflects their determination to secure his services and position themselves as a serious contender in this diverse driver market.
Audi’s entry into Formula One, although still a few years away, is a tantalising long-term project. The German car giant’s foray into the sport promises significant investment and a commitment to building a competitive team. For Sainz, teaming up with Audi could mean becoming the cornerstone of their F1 ambitions and leading the team into a new era.
However, the immediate prospects with Sauber, Audi’s predecessor team, are less attractive given their current position at the bottom of the grid. One does not imagine it would be easy for the German manufacturer to turn things around anytime soon for the Swiss based team.
The role of Flavio Briatore and the Briatore factor
Flavio Briatore’s involvement in the pursuit of Sainz underlines the high stakes and aggressive tactics at play. Known for his influential role in F1 and his ability to broker significant deals, Briatore’s involvement signals Alpine’s serious intentions. His interactions with Carlos Sainz Sr. highlight the personal and professional networks that often influence driver decisions in this high-octane sport.
Briatore’s presence in the paddock during the Spanish Grand Prix, actively engaging with key stakeholders, exemplifies the relentless pursuit of talent that characterises Formula One. A job he has recently been tasked with by the Renault boss.
His efforts to lure Sainz to Alpine reflect a wider strategy to revitalise the team and position it as a credible contender in the midfield battle.
As the F1 season progresses, the pressure is mounting on Carlos Sainz to make a final decision about his future. The intricate web of negotiations, strategic considerations and personal ambitions will ultimately shape his decision. For Sainz, the choice involves balancing immediate performance potential against long-term career prospects.
For Mercedes, the waiting game continues. Toto Wolff’s strategic patience, while risky, reflects a broader vision aimed at securing the best possible talent for the team’s future. The interplay between emerging talents like Antonelli and established stars like Verstappen and Sainz highlights the dynamic and unpredictable nature of the F1 driver market.
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