Mercedes manager Toto Wolff has named Australian Grand Prix winner Carlos Sainz as a candidate for 2025, but F1 commentator David Croft doesn't think Sainz is really on the list.
Sainz is looking for a new home on the F1 grid ahead of 2025, with Ferrari planning to hire Mercedes' seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton from next season at Sainz's expense before the start of F1 in 2024. announced that he would be joining the team.
David Croft has doubts about Carlos Sainz joining Mercedes
However, rather than being depressed that his Ferrari career is over, Sainz reached perhaps his highest level to date with a commanding win at the last Australian Grand Prix after returning from appendix surgery.
This certainly caught the attention of Mercedes team principal Wolff, who named Sainz as one of the candidates when considering options to replace Hamilton.
However, Sky F1's chief commentator Croft does not rate Sainz's chances of taking the Mercedes seat highly.
“I don't think he necessarily fits into the Mercedes slot,” Croft told Fox Sports.
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That being said, where does Croft believe Sainz could end up?
Sainz is heavily involved with the Audi project as the German manufacturer prepares to join the F1 grid in 2026. The ties between Sainz and his family are already strong since his father won the 2024 Dakar Rally with Audi.
But Croft also insisted that Sainz join Williams, claiming it was a “challenge” that Sainz would be keen to take on.
Logan Sargent faces a huge battle to keep driving for Williams beyond F1 in 2024. Especially after Albon crashed in FP1, severely damaging his chassis, and the team gave the car to teammate Alex Albon in Australia as Williams were unable to bring in a spare one.
There is also no guarantee that Albon will become a Williams driver in 2025, with his impressive results since joining the team in 2022 reportedly attracting the attention of rivals.
Croft continued to ponder Sainz's future, adding: “Audi will want him and it's no secret that they're already in negotiations. Does he want to go there? I don't know if he still does.
“Aston Martin would want him, but not with Fernando Alonso.
“Williams would be an option, a good option. He might want to take on the challenge of Williams at this stage of his career.”
Sainz's experience will undoubtedly be a huge asset for Spaniard Williams, a three-time Grand Prix winner and the only non-Red Bull winner from 2022 onwards.
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