Carlos Sainz Holds Esteban Ocon’s F1 Future Hostage, Forcing Audi to Play a Waiting Game

Esteban Ocon’s Alpine exit has added a fresh layer of volatility to the F1 driver market for 2025. He is in contract talks with Haas and an Audi (currently Sauber) possibility awaits him for 2025. Unfortunately for him, it is in-form Carlos Sainz who holds the best cards, with 3 offers on his table, and will play a pivotal role in influencing the Frenchman’s future.

Audi (currently Sauber) has already offered Sainz a 3-year deal tailored to his wants. However, their unproven promises have made the Ferrari driver delay the decision. As per reports, Sainz has already defied their initial deadline. But the German manufacturers have been enticed too far by the lure of having an ex-Ferrari, 3-time Grand Prix winner. Yet, Audi seems to be the Spaniard’s last resort with Williams taking priority as a 1-year stopgap solution for him.

French F1 reporter Fred Ferret believes that Ocon has no choice but to wait for Sainz’s decision unless he edges out Oliver Bearman for the Haas seat. “If Carlos is going to Williams for one year, then there is an opening for Esteban in Sauber,” Ferret said on the F1 Nation podcast. “This is the chance. And then there is also Haas, which is another move.”

Even if Sainz bows out of the Audi race, 10-time race winner Valtteri Bottas is a tough contender to beat. Interestingly, Sainz is not only making Ocon wait, but is also considered a better driver by Alpine for 2025.

Carlos Sainz becomes Alpine’s top choice after Esteban Ocon’s exit

Though Esteban Ocon’s lack of team spirit gave Alpine boss Bruno Famin a headache, the French team has lost a great talent. Their WEC driver Mick Schumacher and their F1 reserve Jack Doohan are competent replacements but Carlos Sainz is a step above. Moreover, the Spaniard has driven for them in 2017 and 2018, when they were called Renault.

“Famin is said to be keen to try and bring in-form Carlos Sainz back to Enstone,” Lawrence Barretto reported for F1.com. “However, it seems like the Spaniard is more likely to join Williams or Sauber/Audi.”

Fate is coming back to haunt Alpine. 3 years after leaving them in 2018, Sainz had revealed how he “didn’t feel liked or as wanted” at Renault. Today, the struggling team will do anything to have him help them in their revival.