F1 News: Carlos Sainz’s Interest in Audi’s F1 Future Revealed by Father Amid Delayed Ferrari Contract

Carlos Sainz, heading into his last contractual year with Ferrari on the back of the only win for the team in the season. He should ideally get a contract extension, right? However, there is pin-drop silence on the contract extension front between Sainz’s camp and the Italian team. Although, in the media circles rumors are continuously swirling. Blowing the wind in that direction, Sainz’s father, Carlos Sainz Sr., recently made an admission about his son’s future.

The Spanish rally racer is an Audi driver through and through. He recently won his fourth Dakar Rally race with the German automaker. Having worked with the Volkswagen-owned brand closely, Carlos Sainz Sr. has massive respect for Audi becoming a part of the circus in 2026. This is exactly why, Sainz Sr. is nudging his son in the direction of Audi when the time comes, as he admitted to media including Motor.es.

Sainz Sr. first claimed that all drivers on the grid, not just his son, must, “have a lot of respect for the brand.” He too communicated his respect for the VW-owned brand. “Audi, I think it is a guarantee. I know very well how seriously they take each project. And I know very well what that German mentality implies in the world of motorsport, with its advantages and certain disadvantages. But we have to respect the Volkswagen group like Audi,” said Sainz Sr.

The 61-year-old added, “We all know that F1 is a bit of a special world. But I would have a lot of respect for Audi. I think it will be a matter of time (before they succeed in F1). I don’t have a crystal ball, but if Audi decides to enter F1, it has all the respect from me. And I think they are also putting all the effort into making it a good project.”

He later admitted to discussing Audi’s potential F1 entry with Sainz Jr., “Of course, at Carlos’s house, with me being in the Audi family, it is logical that we talk and exchange opinions about what the Audi team can be in the future.” 

Read More: After Carlos Sainz’s Audi Connection, Theo Pourchaire Emerges as Worthy Contender for 2026 F1 Seat

We are still not sure if there was some truth in the rumors of the Audi pre-contract. However, the Spaniard is surely being prodded in the German automaker’s direction. Yet, Sainz Jr. is convinced Ferrari is the right place for him.

Carlos Sainz declares his contract hopes with Ferrari in a heartfelt admission

Sainz has tasted a Formula 1 race win for the first time in his career while donning the Ferrari reds. Now, he has higher expectations from himself and believes only Ferrari can help him fulfill these ambitions. The ambition is to win a world championship, and despite Ferrari’s inability to mount a solid championship challenge in the past two seasons, Sainz still believes the Italian team can help him achieve it.

Expressing his love for the team, he said, “I am so happy at Ferrari and so happy to be part of this team that, at the moment, I do not see a deadline. I hope I have many, many years left and I wouldn’t mind having them all in the red. My main motivation is to become world champion. And succeeding with Ferrari would be even better.” Expressing faith in Ferrari, Sainz added, “I’m in the best place on the starting grid to graduate as F1 champion.”

WATCH THIS STORY: Is Carlos Sainz Looking to Move away from Ferrari?

Now, the Spaniard is putting a lot of faith in the Maranello-based team, is he right to do so? Should he consider Audi in 2026 to be a viable option? Let us know in the comments.