Sainz: No assurance of future Audi F1 seat amid Hulkenberg deal
Carlos Sainz says he has no “assurance” of a future Formula 1 seat with Audi but feels it “makes complete sense” for the manufacturer to have signed Nico Hulkenberg.
Audi is one of several possible destinations for Sainz ahead of his upcoming exit from Ferrari, with the German OEM having long been interested in securing his services for its F1 entry in 2026 when it rebrands the Sauber squad.
In recent weeks, Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko suggested that Sainz has “a very lucrative offer from Audi that we can't match or beat” as the world champion squad considers replacing Sergio Perez for 2025, while reports from Spanish media on Thursday included speculation that Sainz has already rejected an Audi offer.
He insisted there is “no truth” to that suggestion when facing the F1 press corps ahead of this weekend’s 2024 Miami Grand Prix, where he was also asked if he had received any assurance – informal or otherwise – about the possibility of an Audi drive remaining available as he waits to see what other chances may open at Red Bull or Mercedes.
“No,” replied Sainz, speaking for the first time since it was announced that Audi had secured its first 2026 driver in recruiting Haas driver Hulkenberg from next year.
“The only assurance that I have is from myself that I want to take the right decision.
“That’s why it’s also taking a bit longer and that’s why I want to see all the options available before taking any fundamental decision.
Carlos Sainz, Scuderia Ferrari
Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
“I think Nico joining Audi makes complete sense for them and for Nico. I think he’s a great driver whose talent I’ve managed to see, I think he’s a great signing for them and I congratulate them because he’s been doing great at Haas.”
Speaking in the Hard Rock Stadium on Thursday, Sainz reiterated again “there are certain things that don’t depend fully on myself and there’s going to be some waiting to be done” regarding his 2025 F1 choice.
“But, in the meantime, it’s not like we are completely stopped [negotiating],” he added. “We’re still in conversations with people and advancing what we can advance.
“But all those things include the waiting that, as I said before, we’re going to need to do [for] people to make up their minds in many areas.”
Share Or Save This Story
Who is Kimi Antonelli, F1 sprint polesitter at just 18?
Why Bottas has the edge over Perez in 2026 F1 return race
What if Red Bull solved its second-car problem with a paint job?
Carlos Sainz hits out at “stupid risks” from F1 rivals: ‘How can a veteran like Nico do this?’
Audi F1's Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto test new Nuvolari supercar ahead of Monaco GP
Why some F1 team bosses think drivers shouldn't have a say in the rules
Lewis Hamilton 'almost signed for Sauber' before F1 debut, says Peter Sauber
F1 2025 season highlights: Fans crown Nico Hulkenberg's podium and Lando Norris's title as top moments
F1 2025 recap: Gabriel Bortoleto justified Sauber’s faith in him
Why Kimi Antonelli is "grateful" for mid-season slump in F1 2025
Toto Wolff "too smart" to pair Max Verstappen with Kimi Antonelli, says Guenther Steiner
Max Verstappen “confused” by FIA verdict that makes Red Bull engine F1’s benchmark
Why Charles Leclerc will match Lewis Hamilton's braking set-up
Is Red Bull a victim of F1's ADUO system? The surprising results explained
Anti-racing or ingenuity? Monaco's hold-up tactics might be in F1 for good
What could drive McLaren to build its own F1 engine
No more naysayers, surely? How Monaco proved Kimi Antonelli's searing form wasn't just luck
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments