Carlos Sainz of Ferrari signs a pre-contract with Audi for F1 2025.
Carlos Sainz Jr. of Ferrari (ESP). Budapest, Hungary, qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix, round twelve of the Formula 1 World Championship
As he weighs his options outside of Ferrari, Carlos Sainz is said to have signed a pre-contract agreement with Audi for the 2025 Formula One season. By signing a pre-contract with Audi, Sainz has begun the process of leaving Ferrari when his current contract. Which runs at the end of 2024, is up.
According to the article, even though the arrangement isn’t legally binding. It “shows the Spaniard is considering his alternatives” to Ferrari. With a potential transfer to Sauber for 2025 now appearing to be closer than ever.
At the Belgian Grand Prix, Sainz said,
“I do prefer starting a season already knowing where I’m going to be the next year.”
Sainz has been mentioned in connection with a move to the current Alfa Romeo-branded Sauber team. That will change its name to Audi in 2026 once the German automaker completes its acquisition of the Hinwil-based team. Sainz dismissed the speculations as “uncorroborated and invented rumours” earlier this year after being mentioned as a prospective contender to join Audi.
Sainz affirmed at the time that he intended to stay with Ferrari for “many years.” Adding, “I am very at home here; I’m living a dream, and this is my objective.”
The current drivers for Alfa Romeo are Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu, and it looks like they’ll be in place for 2024.
Zhou is about to sign a new contract for the 2019 season, while Bottas is committed to Alfa Romeo until the end of 2025, when Audi will take control.
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