Sainz concedes his F1 future could be dependent on others as he looks to ‘keep pushing’ for next drive

Carlos Sainz has fielded more questions over his future F1 plans, stating that he has “no clue” where he will be racing next year as things stand, while vowing to “keep pushing” to impress.

Sainz entered the 2024 season fresh from Ferrari’s decision to sign current Mercedes driver and seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton for 2025, meaning it will be his fourth and final term with the Scuderia.

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Despite that disappointment, Sainz has been one of the stars of the campaign so far, kicking off with a podium in Bahrain and bouncing back from appendicitis – and subsequent surgery – to claim a stunning victory in Australia.

Following another podium finish in Japan, Sainz sits fourth in the drivers’ standings, even with the missed Saudi Arabia weekend, prompting plenty of paddock chatter about where he could be racing in the future.

Several teams, including the likes of Red Bull and Mercedes, are yet to confirm their full 2025 line-ups, and Sainz, speaking before Fernando Alonso’s renewal with Aston Martin was announced, admitted he is talking to “many teams”.

Asked in an interview with Sky Sports F1 about the noise surrounding his future plans, and if he knows the next team he will be racing for, Sainz said: “Honestly, unfortunately I have no clue where I’m going to be next year.

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“It’s true that we’re talking to many teams. I just need to keep focused on what I’m doing, just prove to myself, prove to everyone that when I’m given a fast car, I’m maximising what I’m given and I deliver.

“It’s been a strong start to the season. It’s true that with this car you can shine a bit more; with last year’s car I’ve done performances similar to this year, but you couldn’t shine.

“It was a much more difficult car to drive [last year], a lot more [tyre] deg, in the race you were looking backwards, this year we’re looking forwards, you’re overtaking and this allows you to shine a bit more. It helps, but I’ll keep pushing.”

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Sainz was then pushed on whether he feels he is in control of his future, or if it will be dependent on other people’s decisions first, and the Spaniard responded that it is a bit of both.

“I think it also depends on other people’s… on other teams, what they choose to go for,” he commented. “They know I’m available, so let’s see what happens!”