Ferrari star Carlos Sainz could head to Red Bull in 2025 if Sergio Perez leaves, according to reports

Carlos Sainz is making waves in the post-season driver market. A potential move to Red Bull might be on the horizon for the Spaniard given that a long-term extension deal with the Italian team seems unlikely.

Heading into the off-season, Ferrari would have hoped to resolve both drivers' contract situations, as Charles Leclerc and Sainz will be free agents at the end of 2024. However, latest reports from Maranello indicate that only Leclerc's future is guaranteed.

Italian publication La Gazzetta dello Sport has reported that the Italian team has reached an agreement with Leclerc for a five-year deal. The starting salary is expected to be €25 million, which will double by the end of the term.

On the other hand, Ferrari has reportedly offered a one-year deal for Carlos Sainz, who is more interested in a two-year deal. If the talks don't go through, Sainz is reportedly looking to secure a seat at Red Bull, assuming Sergio Perez leaves the team.

Sergio Perez and Carlos Sainz

Heading into the final year of his contract with Red Bull, Perez is in a precarious situation given his performance this season. The Milton Keynes outfit will not be making any changes to their driver lineup for the upcoming season, but question marks hover over the Mexican driver's future beyond 2024.

This is where Carlos Sainz fits into the equation. He and Max Verstappen were both part of the Red Bull junior academy. They graduated into F1 in 2015, driving as teammates for Toro Rosso (now AlphaTauri).

After being denied a promotion to Red Bull, Sainz moved to Renault, and then McLaren, before joining Ferrari in 2021. If the contract talks with Ferrari falter, we could see the 29-year-old reuniting with his old team.

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Carlos Sainz disappointed with poor end to his 2023 season

Carlos Sainz was the only non-Red Bull driver to win a race this season, clinching the top position at the Singapore GP. He finished the season with three podium results but was left dejected after failing to help Ferrari secure second place in the Constructors Standings.

Sainz recently reflected on the final two races at Las Vegas and Abu Dhabi, where he finished sixth and 18th respectively. He told F1.com:

“It’s been a very disappointing last two races, to be honest. Since that incident in Vegas it looked like our season for some reason ended there, and since then we haven’t really managed to recover the pace and the results and luck.”

He added:

“At the same time, it’s been a season with very high highs, very good moments, and once the disappointment of these last two races goes away we will be able to reflect on more of a positive note.”

Sainz entered the season finale fourth in the drivers' standings but ended the season seventh after failing to finish the race.