Audi Formula 1 project chief Mattia Binotto has detailed the rejection of the offer made to Carlos Sainz to drive for the team, intimating his father Carlos Sr favoured the German team.
The Spaniard was forced to seek a new drive for 2025 after his Ferrari career was effectively ended with a year’s notice, after the Scuderia signed Lewis Hamilton early in 2024.
A driver of Sainz’s calibre naturally sparked interest from teams up and down the grid, with Audi, still amid its transition from Sauber, were keen to secure the four-time Grand Prix-winner’s signature.
But Sainz opted to join Williams, with which he is aiming to spearhead its rise back to the top, aided by two podiums in his debut campaign with the Grove-based squad.
Binotto was familiar with Sainz from the pair’s time at Maranello, and on the Beyond the Grid podcast, the Italian cited “trust” in Sainz as an additional reason for chasing him.
“Obviously, we had a good relationship in Ferrari. I employed him in Ferrari, so he knew that I trusted him as much as I trust him today,” he said.
Binotto continued that Sainz chose Williams after ‘evaulating’ his options, and dropping the hint that rally legend Carlos Sr would have preferred him joining Audi.
“It was good to meet and have a discussion or a chat with him,” he reflected. “He evaluated, but as for everyone, I’m always very respectful to the decisions of the people, and if he decided for a different way, I’m happy for him.
“Because honestly, I think he made his own choice and that was important. I would even say that he made his own choice, and not his dad’s choice, which is great for him.”
Binotto concluded that a positive consequence of Sainz’s rejection was Audi’s signing of the exciting Gabriel Bortoleto.
“And on the other side, then we had the opportunity of Gabriel, which I’m very pleased of.”
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