Despite losing his spot on the Ferrari team to Lewis Hamilton for the 2025 season, Carlos Sainz’s standing in Formula 1 has arguably never been better after delivering several impressive performances in the past year.
Sainz, who recently won the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne, is reportedly considering a move to Sauber, which will be rebranded as Audi in 2026. Other options for him include seats at Red Bull, Mercedes, and Aston Martin.
Former Ferrari team manager Fiorio expressed regret over Sainz’s departure from Ferrari, suggesting that the team should have appreciated his contributions before replacing him with Hamilton.
Fiorio acknowledged Hamilton’s skill but emphasized Sainz’s strength as a driver.
Moving to Sauber in 2025 would mean Sainz leaving a winning car for one of the slowest on the grid. Fiorio understands Audi’s interest in signing Sainz but believes that joining a struggling team like Sauber would make 2025 a challenging season for him.
Sky F1 commentator Martin Brundle advised Sainz against joining Audi, urging him to aim for a team with immediate prospects for victory, such as Mercedes or Aston Martin, or even consider returning to Red Bull.
