As if Red Bull’s internal power struggle wasn’t enough disturbance in F1, Audi has joined the club of turmoil. The German manufacturers are over one and a half years away from entering F1 via their Sauber takeover. Yet, internal political tension is brewing within the team with their F1 CEO, Andreas Seidl, in trouble. This will massively impact their pursuit of top target Carlos Sainz and narrow the driver market.

Sauber has been F1’s serial underperformer in the last decade, similar to Williams. Interestingly, these are the two teams seriously vying for Sainz’s services for 2025. A P6 constructors’ championship finish in 2022, when they were Alfa Romeo, matches their best finish since 2012. Andreas Seidl, who is currently overseeing Sauber’s transition to Audi, hasn’t been able to make much of a difference in performance. Even after 12 races, the Swiss team is the only team with 0 points and dead last in the championship.

To turn things around, Seidl has recently made a big-ticket signing by poaching Mercedes veteran Stefan Strähnz to be their programme director. However, according to Auto Auction, Seidl’s position is in danger. He and Audi’s Chief Representative Oliver Hoffmann are at odds, trying to get each other sacked from the team. Hoffman’s plans include replacing his rival with Aston Martin Team Principal Mike Krack, who’d lead the team into their Audi days.

This instability has thrown Carlos Sainz away from the otherwise promising Audi project. Motorsport Total also reveals that Audi could’ve signed the departing Ferrari driver immediately after Lewis Hamilton‘s announcement in February. But a lack of decisiveness on Sauber’s part caused the indefinite delay that they are battling today.

While this goes on, Mercedes has re-entered the race to sign Sainz for 2025. Fresh off of consecutive victories, Team Principal Toto Wolff wants to keep the momentum going. Can his primary choice Andrea Kimi Antonelli sustain the run that Hamilton has begun?

Former F1 driver urges Toto Wolff to ‘park’ Antonelli and sign Carlos Sainz

After over two years of mediocrity, Technical Director James Allison’s brilliance has steered Mercedes back to winning ways. Red Bull is no longer the only top dog with McLaren too joining the fight for victories. In 2025, this convergence will further intensify, with more teams in the mix for podiums and wins. For the Silver Arrows, Kimi Antonelli, who is still struggling in F2, cannot be the immediate answer for their seat vacancy.

This leaves Carlos Sainz as their best option, who Toto Wolff had earlier sidelined. But ahead of the British GP, the Austrian confirmed the Ferrari driver is “still an option” for 2025. Former F1 driver Christian Danner has doubled down on this development. “I’d put him [Antonelli] off,” he told Motorsport-Magazin. “Kimi can also be parked for another year. Toto now has to decide who is really the best for me. And of course, that is Carlos Sainz. We don’t even need to talk about it.”

Earlier in the season, Wolff reportedly offered Sainz a 1+1 year contract. But the Spaniard had a long-term vision, countering with a 2+1 year deal. Eventually, the discussions fizzled. However, with Mercedes’ performance revival, the 2025 seat is again attractive for Sainz. His other options – Williams, Sauber, and Alpine – are midfield or backmarker teams. The choice seems pretty obvious, doesn’t it?