Less than 24 hours after the Belgian Grand Prix and as Formula 1 team members prepare for a few weeks of break in August, Carlos Sainz has finally announced his next move.
Sainz has been described by Kevin Magnussen as a cork in a bottle, both on paper and sometimes in more colorful language. Several other drivers got away with it – In the driver market, many teams have shown interest in the Spanish player and have made offers.
Realistically, Sainz’s choices are reduced to choosing between Williams, Alpine and Stake/Sauber/Audi, with Sainz‘This decision clarifies the situation for the first of the three, but leaves the remaining two vacancies to be filled.
More clarity could be imminent when the paddock reconvenes in Zandvoort this weekend, though.‘There’s an opportunity there too‘Neither team seems to have a number one pick, so there’s no rush.
Starting with the more competitive of the two teams, Alpine could finally promote one of its junior drivers to the race seat. Given the ongoing off-track instability and the start of this season, it is only fair for the team to put themselves in that position.
that‘Comparing drivers is always difficult, but Oscar Piastri’s success after a year as a reserve at Enstone shows that Alpine can prepare young talent.‘t has always handled contracts effectively and Jack Doohan has followed suit with his Australian counterparts.‘Footsteps over the past two years.
This year it’s a lot more like Piastri.‘This is Doohan’s last year with Alpine.‘He has not committed to racing, but has focused on a reserve and development role, and his previous performances in F2, combined with his testing appearances, make a strong case for his potential success in F1.
But he‘He is not the only one on that list. Valtteri Bottas is still on the market and would be an experienced option if Alpine wants to move in that direction. The same goes for his current teammate Zhou Guanyu, a former Renault junior who has never had the chance to sit in the team’s race seat. The latter could bring support and experience now, but it would be a slightly harsher decision than Doohan.
Mick Schumacher got his start through Alpine‘A hypercar program will also be considered, with Kevin Magnussen also saying the team wants more experience.‘Go see Botas.
Bottas and Magnussen are both experienced options. Andy Hone/Motorsport Images
Future Audi projects have been a bit turbulent over the past 18 months, and the recent management changes have shown this.‘Convince Sainz to join you.
However, the hiring of Mattia Binotto and Jonathan Wheatley is strong, and all of the drivers above would have some interest in joining the transition next year. Sebastian Vettel‘Helmut Marko has been identified as one of several options as an attractive German driver to partner Nico Hulkenberg, but the S name is also associated with a return to F1 with Audi.
But with the team lacking a clear sense of where to go next after losing Sainz, even the name of Formula 2 title contender Gabriel Bortoleto has been mentioned in passing. The Brazilian has impressed in his rookie year but is part of McLaren’s young driver line-up.
Mercedes’ apparent lack of interest in Sainz came as somewhat of a surprise to Williams team principal James Vowles, but it also helped them retain Toto Wolff to some extent.‘As for the driver situation, the team is not in the spotlight. In other years, the focus would be on the Mercedes vacancy, and when Lewis Hamilton has to replace the most successful driver in F1 history, the team Ferrari.
