Carlos Sainz News: F1 boss claims his team are FAVOURITES to end Carlos Sainz contract saga

Carlos Sainz, Ferrari, Suzuka, 2024 — Photo: © IMAGO

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F1 boss claims his team are FAVOURITES to end Sainz contract saga

Carlos Sainz remains the hottest name in the driver market pool

Kerry Violet F1 News Editor

F1 editor and journalist covering motorsport since 2024.

Monday 29 July 2024 09:12 Updated: 17:05

A Formula 1 boss has revealed he believes talks with Carlos Sainz have secured his team as the favourites to sign the Spaniard.

After Lewis Hamilton announced he would be leaving Mercedes for a move to Maranello next year, Sainz has found himself at the centre of the driver market drama weighing up his options.

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Being replaced by Hamilton, who many have hailed 'the goat' following his fairytale Silverstone win and 200th career podium this season, means Sainz will no longer drive for the Scuderia next year.

Having been linked to just about every team both with and without an available seat, the ball seemed to be in Sainz's court.

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With 17-year-old Kimi Antonelli frequently touted as the favourite to replace Hamilton at Mercedes and Max Verstappen's intentions up in the air, the teams at the top of the grid don't seem to be scrambling for Sainz's signature.

Which teams have tried to sign Sainz?

Despite Audi reportedly making the 29-year-old a handsome offer, their rebrand doesn't appear to have enticed him.

Williams emerged as a surprising frontrunner and even though talks appeared to have fizzled out between the two, team principal James Vowles has now confirmed he believes the Grove-based outfit are the favourites.

With the summer break fast approaching, it looks as if an announcement could be on the horizon.

Will Sainz move to Williams?

Speaking to the media including GPFans, Vowles admitted: "I'm open-minded but I want excellence within the team. I want race-winning performance within the team. I want individuals that are leaders."

When quizzed on alternative names on the grid that have been linked to the team such as Valtteri Bottas, Vowles confirmed his priority.

"At the top of this I've said it from the start. I'll maintain it here now as well is Carlos."

Could we see Carlos Sainz at Williams next season?

James Vowles appears determined to sign Carlos Sainz

The Williams team principal continued: "He brings excellence along with him. I've said it once, I'll keep saying it. That is where my heart is set. And let's see if the journeys collide."

Vowles, who made the move from Mercedes to Williams in 2023 in an attempt to kickstart the team's journey back to the top of the grid, clearly sees Sainz as the missing piece.

Opening up on his attempt to lock down the Ferrari star, Vowles remained cautiously optimistic.

"It's interesting conversations he and I have had pretty late into a few nights. And we presented from both sides."

When asked about the odds of signing the driver this time, Vowles replied: "More than 50%, how’s that? I think the odds are in our favour. But I’ve been stung by this already once this year so let’s see."

Written by

Kerry Violet - F1 News Editor

Having graduated from the University of Sheffield with a 2:1 in Journalism in 2022, Kerry continued her pursuit of finding a full-time position in motorsport through work with the F1 Arcade in London, where she got to meet true fans of the sport and make a live grand prix watch party memorable for them. It was here that she confirmed her dream of combining her background in journalism and love of motorsport, going on to volunteer with the female-led platform Empoword Journalism. Having completed stints as a screen editor and sports editor, Kerry landed her first F1-specific editorial role with GPFans and has thoroughly enjoyed continuing to work closely with the sport ever since. The access GPFans offers Kerry has allowed her to interview big names such as Naomi Schiff and David Coulthard and given her experiences she could only have dreamt of as a young F1 fan.

View full biography

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