Carlos Sainz linked to a surprise third team as an alternative to Williams and Audi emerges: Reports

Recent reports suggest that Alpine has now joined the race with Williams and Audi to hire Carlos Sainz. The French team seniors were seen speaking to Carlos Sainz's father in the paddock at the Spanish GP.

Since Ferrari announced that they would hire Lewis Hamilton in 2025, Carlos Sainz has been looking for a seat in other teams to continue his F1 journey. His recent on-track performances have attracted many teams that are willing to hire him.

In the beginning, several rumors surfaced that the Spaniard could join Audi alongside Nico Hulkenberg. In the past few weeks, Williams also joined the race to get Sainz. Their team principal, James Vowles, openly stated that his team is in talks with him.

While both teams are chasing the current Ferrari driver, recent reports from RacingNews365 claim that Alpine is also trying to lure Sainz.

The Enstone-based team recently announced that they would part ways with Esteban Ocon after the 2024 F1 season. The announcement was made a few days after he collided with his teammate Pierre Gasly in Monaco on Lap 1. Hence, the French team now have a vacant seat to fill.

According to the report, Renault CEO Luca de Meo, on Flavio Briatore's advice, is insisting Carlos Sainz join Alpine. During the Spanish GP, where Briatore was with the Alpine team, he and Sainz's entourage were seen together in the paddock.

As of now, Sainz has not yet decided on his future team once he leaves Ferrari at the end of 2024.

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Carlos Sainz is ready to choose his future team after months of waiting

Carlos Sainz recently stated that he does not want to wait any longer and would soon choose his future F1 team.

Speaking at the Spanish GP press conference on Thursday, he said that he would soon decide on his future since it has been taking up too much of his mind. He added that there will soon be things to talk about after he makes the decision.

“The latest is that a decision will be taken very soon. I don’t want to wait any longer. I think it’s getting to a point where it’s taking space out of my head for some weeks and months now. It’s time to make a decision and that decision will be taken soon. So, hopefully soon, we will have things to talk about,” Sainz said.

In the 2024 F1 season, Carlos Sainz has already clinched a race victory in Australia, even after he was diagnosed with appendicitis during the Saudi Arabian GP.

As of now (after the Spanish GP), the Ferrari driver stands in fourth place in the drivers' championship table with 116 points. His teammate Charles Leclerc is in third place with 148 points.