F1 News: Carlos Sainz Might Not Be "Politically Attractive" To Mercedes According To Insider
Former world champion Damon Hill has suggested that Carlos Sainz may not secure a seat with Mercedes for 2025 since the team might not find him "politically attractive", given the fact that Lewis Hamilton will take over his seat.
Key Takeaways:
- Damon Hill suggests Carlos Sainz may face challenges securing a Mercedes seat for 2025, as the team might not find him "politically attractive" after Lewis Hamilton's move to Ferrari reshaped the driver market.
- Sainz, initially linked to top teams like Mercedes and Red Bull, may face hurdles due to his previous association with Ferrari, according to Hill and Martin Brundle.
- Sainz's potential move to Sauber Stake F1 with Audi's takeover in 2026 is mentioned, but Audi's likely entry in 2027 introduces uncertainty.
Hamilton sent shockwaves across the F1 community and lit the driver market ahead of the 2024 season by announcing his switch from Mercedes to Ferrari, scheduled for 2025. However, as a result, Sainz's contract with Ferrari did not see another renewal for the subsequent years, leaving him to look for other options on the grid.
Considering the Spaniard's capabilities and the fact that he was then the only non-Red Bull driver to have won a Grand Prix in the 2023 season, Sainz was linked with existing top teams such as Mercedes and Red Bull for a seat in 2025.
However, Hill has ruled out the option of Mercedes, citing a complex reason. He told Sky Sports F1:
“If you think about Carlos Sainz, he’s come from Ferrari. Would Mercedes be comfortable taking someone who has been, not rejected, but anyway passed over?
“So I think politically that might not be so attractive for them.”
Former driver and Sky F1 Pundit Martin Brundle agreed with him. He added:
“The problem is that if you’re Mercedes-Benz, he’s been kicked out of Ferrari, do you want to.
“Does that have the right feel to take, sort of, Ferrari’s cast-off?
“Even if it was for Lewis Hamilton. That’s the cruel aspect of this. I think the kid’s world-class and I think he’ll get a good seat.”
Sainz was also linked to a move to the Sauber Stake F1 team due to Audi's takeover of the team in 2026, given his father's influence after he won the Dakar Rally for the German manufacturer. However, it remains to be seen if any development occurs, as Audi will most likely start racing in Formula 1 in 2027.