Will Carlos Sainz switch to Audi – yes, no, maybe? The Formula 1 driver’s decision for or against the German manufacturer sends an important signal
Audi has not yet entered Formula 1. But of course, the Sauber team in Hinwil, Switzerland, is already preparing for 2026, when the works team will be on the grid for the first time. Until then, Andreas Seidl is laying the necessary foundations as Sauber Managing Director. And he is now facing his biggest challenge yet.
Because Audi naturally wants to run its Formula 1 project with drivers who are experienced enough to play a decisive role in the major sporting task from 2026. And the timing for the driver search is favorable: there is not always as much movement as this year in the Formula 1 driver market. Even some top drivers have had to or will have to reorient themselves for the future.
And so Audi brought Nico Hülkenberg into the team at an early stage. A good move, because Hülkenberg is a permanent fixture in Formula 1 and is also German. That suits the new German works team. Even though Hülkenberg probably didn’t have too many alternatives to continue competing in Grands Prix. But that is only a side note here.
Because the case is different for the second driver, and his name should actually be Carlos Sainz. But it’s not that simple …
Sainz already seemed to be set as the Audi driver. Fortunately for Audi, Red Bull and Mercedes have decided otherwise. But now difficulties have suddenly arisen. And that could become a problem for Audi.
One thing is clear: the manufacturer needs a top driver to increase the credibility of its project. Sainz, as a current Ferrari driver and multiple race winner, would bring this credibility
Now all of a sudden Williams is also bidding
However, it has also been clear for a few weeks that Williams, as a private team, has also made Sainz an offer. And should Sainz ultimately decide against Audi and for Williams, that would be a hard blow for the new Audi works team.
Sainz is regarded as a very cautious driver. He and his management carefully weigh up all aspects before making a decision that will represent a major turning point in his Formula 1 career. And if he ultimately chooses Williams, what would that mean for Audi? Very probably that Sainz does not have the confidence in Audi to achieve success in the medium to long term.
A driver who has to evaluate a Formula 1 team in the long term can of course only do so based on the present. And in Sauber’s case, that is not very tempting: the team currently occupies last place in the Formula 1 constructors’ championship and is the only racing team without any points so far in the 2024 season. That is certainly not something that you simply overlook when taking stock.
Sauber is the Audi of tomorrow
Of course, the four rings won’t be emblazoned on the cars from Hinwil for another two years. But the preparatory work for the 2026 car will begin on January 1, 2025, and the people who are already working at Sauber will be developing it. They will get reinforcements, but how many reinforcements and when is a question mark.
Technical Director James Key has already been at Sauber for a year (he was hired on June 7, 2023) and the team is aiming for 300 new employees. But it will take some time before these 300 people are found and convinced to move to Switzerland. Let alone until they actually start work in Hinwil.
And in the meantime, there are no signs that the new owners are aiming higher. Certainly, this could be a strategy. Because the smaller the starting base, the greater the potential for growth
In concrete terms, however, this means that the Sauber drivers often fail in the first qualifying section and are competing for the golden pineapple in the race. Valtteri Bottas and Guanyu Zhou are only gently mocking this. Sharp tones have been sought in vain so far. But they are certainly not happy with the situation
Sainz’s decision sends out a signal
And so everyone is waiting for the signal effect that Sainz’s decision for or against Audi will have: If he does indeed go to Williams, it will speak for a low credibility of the Audi project and doubts will be sown.
It is precisely this test that Seidl now has to overcome as Sauber CEO.
After all, a defeat in the transfer poker against a top team would have been just as unpleasant, but at least understandable. But to be turned down because the declared dream driver would rather move to a team that has won just one race in the last 20 years and can only offer half the price for Sainz’s services is on a completely different level.
And so Hinwil is probably hoping for a happy ending and Sainz as an Audi driver for 2026. Otherwise, the next meeting with the racing team’s supervisory board will probably not be particularly pleasant
