Carlos Sainz has divulged that he remains unsure where his next destination in Formula 1 will be, citing how the upcoming rules reset presents a “coin toss” situation.
The outgoing Ferrari racer is believed to be considering proposals from both Sauber as it prepares to evolve into Audi in 2026 and Williams to partner with Alex Albon.
Speaking prior to his home race in Spain, Sainz reiterated that he was eager to make a decision soon to enable him to focus back on his current activities with Ferrari.
“The latest is that, yeah, a decision will be taken very soon,” Sainz said.
“Yeah, I don’t want to wait any longer, I think it’s getting to a point where it’s obviously taking space out of my head for quite a few weeks now and months.
“And it’s obviously time to make a decision, and the decision will be taken soon, and hopefully soon we will have many things to talk about.”
But although he intends to have his prospects past this term resolved soon, the Spaniard has conceded that he is still undecided on which team to hedge his bets on.
“I’m still not sure one way or another, it’s still something that I’m discussing with my team, brainstorming,” he added.
“And I need a couple of days back at home before the Spanish Grand Prix.
“I’ve been at home, but you know how they head in the future, how they head in the Spanish Grand Prix, it’s been a very hectic few couple of weeks.
“So I haven’t had time to really sit down and make a decision.”
Sainz has stressed his preference will be to commit to a long-term venture with a side as the sport prepares to undertake a wholesale regulation overhaul come 2026.
However, the three-time race F1 winner admits that attempting to decipher which available proposition is well-placed to hit the ground running then is proving difficult.
Asked whether the new rules would have an impact on his eventual choice, Sainz replied: “Yes and no.
“Just because I think 2026, guessing now in 2024 who is going to be performing better is almost impossible.
“I use the term revolutionary or a coin toss to see who is going to be quicker in 2026 given that the regulation is so different, the cars are completely different, the chassis, the engine.
“It’s almost impossible to predict who is going to be performing in 2026.
“So, yeah, 2025 becomes also important at that stage if I cannot predict 2026 and I don’t know who is going to be performing better. 2025 is important for me too.
“It is also long-term. It is also trying to understand the power unit side, trying to understand the team dynamics, all these factors coming into play when taking a decision.
“That’s why it’s taking long and it’s taking time for me to find some time within myself to take the decision.”
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