Sainz admits decision on future is ‘not moving too quick’ (2024)

Carlos Sainz believes that a decision on his future for 2025 could be some way off being finalised, with the Spaniard stating that the situation is not progressing quickly amid continued moves in the driver market.

Two further seats for next year’s grid have been confirmed in recent weeks; Nico Hulkenberg’s switch from Haas to Kick Sauber was announced prior to the Miami Grand Prix, while the news arrived ahead of this weekend’s race in Imola that Alex Albon has signed a multi-year contract extension with Williams.

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Sainz’s destination, meanwhile, remains unknown, with the 29-year-old left without a seat in 2025 given the impending arrival of Lewis Hamilton. Asked ahead of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix when news of his future might be expected, Sainz responded: “When I have it, you’ll know.”

Pushed further on whether the announcement is still a long way off, he added: “I think so, yeah. It’s not moving too quick.”

For now Sainz’s focus remains on 2024, as he looks to have a good weekend in front of Ferrari’s home fans. The three-time race winner is hopeful that the team have a “bit of a step” coming thanks to upgrades arriving on the car for the Imola weekend.

However, when quizzed on whether this could be enough to draw level with McLaren – victors last time out in Miami – or even championship leaders Red Bull, Sainz suggested that the Scuderia’s potential seems to be reliant on where they are racing.

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“I still think it’s going to be track dependent,” the Ferrari driver explained. “Miami was a better suited track for [us], our car felt back to normal, while China felt particularly really not good, so I think we’re going to be very track dependent.

“Hopefully Imola is one of those good tracks for us and we can put on a good show in front of the crowd. This would be [the] ideal scenario.

“For the rest, we’re going to need to keep developing for tracks like China, because there’s certain types of corner where our car really struggles right now, and we need to keep moving forward.”

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After standing on the podium at the opening three rounds of the season in which he competed – including his win in the Australian Grand Prix – Sainz has ended the last two races in fifth place.

He also currently sits in P5 of the drivers’ standings on 83 points, drawing level with Lando Norris in fourth.