Speaking ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix Carlos Sainz conceded that the time is coming for a decision on his F1 future
With the Formula 1 world in Barcelona for this weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix, the conversation in the paddock is centered primarily on one driver: Carlos Sainz Jr. With nearly half the seats on the 2025 grid still open, Sainz’s decision regarding his future appears to be the domino following which the rest of the lineup will fall into place.
And now Sainz admits that such a decision will come “soon.”
Speaking at the FIA Press Conference Thursday, Sainz was asked about his future, and whether he had reached a decision regarding his ride for 2025. The Spanish driver admitted that such a decision was coming “soon,” because the questions about his future were “space out of [his] head.”
“The latest is that a decision will be taken very soon,” answered Sainz on Thursday. “I don’t want to wait any longer. I think it’s getting to a point where it’s obviously taking space out of my head for quite a few weeks now and months and I think it’s obviously time to make a decision. The decision will be taken soon. And yeah, so hopefully soon we will have things to talk about.”
However, Sainz conceded that he still has not made up his mind.
“I’m still not sure one way or another. It’s still something that I’m discussing with my team and brainstorming and obviously I need a couple of days back at home and before the Spanish Grand Prix,” continued Sainz. “I’ve been at home, but you don’t have you head in the future, you have your head in the Spanish Grand Prix. It’s been a very hectic couple of weeks after Canada for me. So I haven’t had time to really sit down and take a decision. And this is what I will target in the next few weeks.”
It is not only the F1 media awaiting a decision from Sainz, but other drivers. Kevin Magnussen, whose own F1 future remains in doubt as his contract with Haas expires at the end of the 2024 season, pointed to Sainz as the “cork in the bottle” when it comes to the 2025 driver lineup.
“He is,” said Magnussen, pointing to Sainz during Thursday’s FIA Press Conference. “Carlos is the cork in the bottle. I think a lot of guys are waiting for him to make a move and then eventually all the other pieces of the puzzle will fall. That’s the truth of that.”
So if you are growing a little impatient regarding Sainz’s decision, you are not alone.
Other F1 drivers are in the same boat.