The most important rumor that started circulating in the Barcelona paddock after the Spanish Grand Prix about Carlos Sainz, if confirmed, would be sensational. The Spaniard seemed to be destined to join Williams for the 2025 Formula 1 championship, with a four-year contract ready to be signed and possible termination at the end of 2026 under certain conditions.
Alpine attempts to steal Carlos Sainz at the last minute
However, according to recent reports in the media, the new leadership duo at Alpine, consisting of Flavio Briatore, who has officially returned to Formula 1 with his former team as an executive consultant, and Renault Group president Luca De Meo, has aggressively entered the market battle for the Spaniard, attempting to outmaneuver Williams at the last moment and bring him to Enstone alongside Pierre Gasly.
The Spaniard has repeatedly stated that he has not yet made a final decision but does not want to wait much longer so that he can focus on the remaining part of his last season with Scuderia Ferrari.
“I don’t want to wait any longer,” Carlos Sainz said in the press conference on the eve of the Spanish Grand Prix weekend. “I think we are reaching a point where this has been occupying my mind for quite a few weeks and months.”
“I think it’s time to make a decision, and that decision will be made soon. I hope we will have something to talk about soon. I’m still not sure (where to go, editor’s note), neither one way nor the other. I’m still discussing it with my team. I haven’t had time to sit down and make a decision, which I will do in the coming weeks.” – the current Ferrari driver explained.
As things stand, the team led by James Vowles remains the number one candidate to secure the Spaniard’s services, with his entourage spotted multiple times in talks with Briatore in the Barcelona paddock.
The buzz for the Formula 1 drivers’ market coincides with the best weekend for Alpine, with the A524 finally showing some potential compared to the disastrous start of the season, and with both Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon finishing in the points.
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Should he decide to backtrack and accept Flavio Briatore’s offer, it would be a return to Enstone for Carlos Sainz, having raced there at the end of 2017 and in 2018, albeit without exceptional results.
It remains to be seen if there is enough time for Alpine to reopen negotiations or if the talks with Williams are so advanced that there is no room for maneuver.
Source: f1ingenerale
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