It would be a ‘shame’ if Carlos Sainz joined one team for the 2025 season, Peter Windsor says. Sainz is currently without a drive for next year after Ferrari decided to drop him and sign seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton instead.
The Spaniard has been one of the most impressive drivers on the grid this year, finishing on the podium at all three races he’s started. He took his third career victory at the Australian Grand Prix last month, aided by Max Verstappen’s retirement.
Speaking to Cameron F1, Windsor urged Sainz not to join one particular team next year if possible. In addition to his victory in Australia, the 29-year-old won the driver of the day award after claiming third in Bahrain and picked up another 15 points in Suzuka last weekend.
That leaves him fourth in the championship on 55 points, just four behind Charles Leclerc despite the fact he missed the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix through illness. Sainz also leads Leclerc 2-1 in the qualifying head-to-head.
Sky Sports F1’s Bernie Collins has said Ferrari may already be questioning their decision to axe the former McLaren man. Meanwhile, double world champion Mika Hakkinen believes it’s ‘incredible’ that he doesn’t have a seat as it stands.
Peter Windsor says one Carlos Sainz move would be bad for the sport
Windsor reckons that Sainz’s ‘profile’, in addition to his talent, is suited to a prominent position on the grid. As such, he’s hoping that he doesn’t end up joining Sauber, who will become Audi in 2026 following a takeover.
As it stands, the German manufacturer are showing the ‘greatest interest’ in signing Sainz. Audi aspire to be a title-winning team in Formula 1, but accept that this may not be a realistic goal for the first five years or so.
“It’s bad for Formula 1 because Carlos Sainz is doing a really good job,” Windsor said of a potential move to Audi. “He’s got a good profile for Formula 1. For fans out there, he’s a great guy, he’s well-mannered, he’s polite, he’s presentable, he’s cool, he looks like a racing driver.
“He’s everything you want him to be. It’d be a shame to see him midfielding [sic] in a Sauber next year if that’s what they have to do.”
Where is Carlos Sainz going for 2025?
If Sainz doesn’t go to Audi, then, where will he end up? Well, the biggest confirmed vacancy on the grid at the moment has, ironically, been left by Hamilton at Mercedes.
However, Damon Hill hasn’t heard any ‘welcoming noises’ from the Silver Arrows. What’s more, Toto Wolff may wait until the end of the summer to make a final decision on his line-up, which could be too late for Sainz.
Meanwhile, Red Bull director Helmut Marko admits the team will consider trying to bring back a driver who started his career with Toro Rosso. Ralf Schumacher has told the reigning champions they must make a swift move and ditch Sergio Perez.
Elsewhere, a door may open at Aston Martin, with both drivers out of contract, and Williams have already held talks with his management. Wolff has predicted that one driver will make a big move in the near future, and Will Buxton reckons that he was referring to Sainz.
The post ‘It’d be a shame’: Peter Windsor tells Carlos Sainz to avoid 2025 move that would be ‘bad for Formula 1’ appeared first on F1 Oversteer.