Carlos Sainz says Red Bull and Mercedes’ apparent return to F1’s silly season hasn’t made his 2025 decision more difficult as it was “always complicated”.has become the cork in the driver market bottle with the Spaniard holding up the lower half of the grid as he takes his time deciding between what was said to be Alpine, Williams and Sauber/Audi.Additional reporting by Thomas Maher and Sam Cooper
Although Red Bull signed Sergio Perez to a new two-year extension back in May, taking themselves off the market, the Mexican driver’s poor run of form has led to speculation he could be dropped this season already to make way for Daniel Ricciardo. As for Mercedes, six months after being informed of Lewis Hamilton’s switch to Ferrari, they still haven’t decided who will replace him next season.“I don’t want to make a decision quickly. But yes, he is,” Wolff told Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo. “If we have more time to decide, Carlos is definitely still a chance, but Carlos needs to make a decision on what he does with the other teams.
“That’s why I’ve never taken a decision because it’s never been easy and straightforward and clear cut to take a decision.Adding to the complication is 2026 with its all-new cars and engines.