“Mercedes is the ideal destination for Carlos Sainz, according to Marc Surer, former F1 driver”

Carlos Sainz Jr will have to look for a new team alongside his role as a regular driver. The Spaniard was not chosen by Ferrari. While his contract expires at the end of the 2024 season, the Scuderia has signed and confirmed Lewis Hamilton for the 2025 season.

Since this story, rumors are flying. Carlos Sainz Jr is a double Formula One Grand Prix winner and has been part of several teams, including the legendary Ferrari and McLaren. The son of the winner of the 2024 Dakar Rally has also been trained by Red Bull. He has an interesting resume for all the teams in the field.

A win-win transfer

The most likely rumor is a move to Sauber. The 2026 project with Audi is very ambitious and the team is looking for an experienced but not too old driver. Carlos Sainz Jr will be 31 years old by then. He will still be at the peak of his career. Furthermore, his father has raced for Audi several times in different categories. Many signs are pointing towards a transfer to the Germans.

However, 2026 is two seasons away and Carlos Sainz must find a new team for the 2025 championship. Sauber will still be under the name Stake F1 and, unless there’s a turnaround, the team will have one final year under this name and likely be in the midfield. At the age of 30, it’s a risky gamble.

Former Formula 1 driver Marc Surer believes that, in this situation, the best solution would be to join Mercedes. The Silver Arrows must replace the six-time World Champion, and before the 2026 reform, it could be a good move in the short term. The 72-year-old Swiss doesn’t see Audi winning in 2026. According to him, the project will truly take shape in 2027. Therefore, a two-year contract from 2025 to 2027 could be a good solution for Carlos Sainz Jr.

If things go normally, Audi won’t win any races in the first year,” explained Marc Surer on the YouTube channel Formel.de. “That’s why I think Sainz is looking for a team where he can gain some time. I think he wants to join Audi in the long term. The Audi affair will gain momentum, but not in the first two years. That’s why I think he could be a temporary solution for Mercedes. He fits the Grey team perfectly. He can win races. He’s the only one who won a GP in 2023 as a non-Red Bull man. That shouldn’t be forgotten. He’s capable of winning races.”

A transfer that could strengthen George Russell.

Mercedes could look favorably upon this signing. In the 2024 market, Carlos Sainz Jr is one of the few drivers with a successful record and experience driving for top teams. Additionally, he is experienced. Alongside this, Mercedes could take the opportunity to give some of its young drivers more time to gain experience. George Russell could gain importance and provide more logical competition for the Spaniard.

Regardless of the driver who will replace Lewis Hamilton, on paper, the transfer will be inferior. Mercedes is losing the most successful driver in Grand Prix history and a six-time World Champion. On and off the track, he will leave a gap. However, the Silver Arrows could take advantage of this departure to rebuild a project with a standout driver, like George Russell who has been with Mercedes for a while. He could then go head-to-head with Carlos Sainz Jr, against whom he would have less pressure, given the difference in accomplishments.