The Formula 1 driver market for the 2025 season started unusually early—practically from the very first race of the previous championship. Such an early start to the so-called “silly season” is an unprecedented phenomenon in recent memory. The shock announcement that seven-time Formula 1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton would be leaving Mercedes to join Scuderia Ferrari caught both the German team and Spanish driver Carlos Sainz by surprise. After four competitive seasons with the Maranello-based team, Sainz suddenly found himself without a confirmed seat for 2025.
For the 30-year-old Spanish driver, departing from Ferrari was not an easy decision—especially after finding the right balance and competitive rhythm within the team over the years. Despite the challenges, he had built consistency and gained the trust of the engineers and mechanics in red.
From the 2024 Bahrain Grand Prix onward, rumors about potential destinations for Carlos Sainz began to circulate rapidly throughout the paddock. The Spanish driver was frequently linked with several Formula 1 teams, including Alpine, the Audi-bound Sauber team, and—most prominently—Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team. For a number of race weekends, it was widely speculated that Sainz and Mercedes were close to finalizing a deal to have him replace Lewis Hamilton. However, the negotiations ultimately came to nothing. In a surprising twist, Sainz eventually signed with Williams Racing, where he now races alongside Thai-British driver Alexander Albon.
Speaking on the High Performance podcast, Carlos Sainz was asked just how close he came to signing with Mercedes. The driver, currently racing under car number 55, revealed a surprising detail about the discussions and the role that Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff played in the situation.
“There was never a concrete opportunity,” Sainz admitted. “We spoke a lot with Toto [Wolff] and with everyone involved, and yes, I was among the options they were considering. But I never really got that close to joining. I think he [referring to Toto Wolff] is very happy to have Kimi [Antonelli] in the team.”
A Missed Opportunity?
According to former Haas F1 Team Principal Guenther Steiner, Carlos Sainz may have made a mistake by not signing with Sauber, which will become the official Audi works team in 2026. The Italian manager believes it would have been a strategic move for Sainz—joining a team with an ambitious long-term vision and strong factory backing. Speaking on The Red Flags Podcast during the “Gas or Brake” segment, Steiner shared his opinion on the matter.
“Yes, in my view he should have gone to Sauber,” Steiner said. “Not just for performance reasons, but also because he would have reconnected with Mattia Binotto, someone he worked with before and who played a significant role in his earlier career at Ferrari.”
Guenther Steiner further elaborated on Sainz’s current situation at Williams, suggesting that the Spanish driver is struggling more than expected. “Right now, he’s not having a good time at Williams. He’s having a really hard time adapting. Carlos is a talented driver, and he deserves to be part of a strong, competitive project.”
“Even at the beginning of the season, when the Williams FW46 looked relatively quick on certain circuits, it was Alexander Albon—not Carlos—who was consistently extracting more performance. Carlos seems to be struggling, and that’s not the kind of form we usually associate with him,” added Steiner.
The Italian former team boss also suggested that Sainz is likely feeling frustrated about his current form and results, but emphasized that the decisions drivers make must be respected. “Naturally, some frustration may have started to build up. But ultimately, it’s Carlos who makes the calls about his own career. In my opinion, his place was somewhere else—but it’s only right that he experiences his journey on his own terms. I sincerely hope that he can regain his rhythm and confidence behind the wheel of the Williams car,” Steiner concluded.
The key question now is whether Carlos Sainz can rediscover the level of performance and stability that once made him one of the most consistent drivers on the grid. With a long season still ahead, there remains a possibility that he can adapt to the Grove-based team and play a central role in their rebuilding process.
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