For most, if not all, young racing drivers, the dream is to reach the top and at the moment the top is Formula 1. The premier racing competition only has space for 20 of the very best in the world of motorsport. Getting to the top might not be easy, but staying at the top is more difficult, ask Carlos Sainz. Every race weekend is a battle for survival and the Spaniard survived 150 races and seven years before he secured his first race win at Silverstone. It is the biggest personal milestone in Sainz’s career that made his mother emotional and revealed an insight into his life. An insight made evident a year later at Silverstone as well against his teammate Charles Leclerc.

Sainz won his first-ever race in Formula 1 at the 2022 British GP. However, the 2023 edition on Silverstone was a one-to-forget for Ferrari man. Hoping to repeat his heroics in 2023, the Spaniard was given a brutal reality check with the team orders, even in qualifying. This undermining and difficult aspect of his life has been present throughout his career, according to his mother. Sainz’s mother revealed that in the caption of her Instagram post celebrating her son’s first win.

She wrote, “Nothing has ever come easy to you, your arrival at F1, your first podium and now your first victory was going to be no less! You are an example to all of fighting, knowing how to be, and above all of work and effort!! So proud!”

Sainz is definitely taking the tough route to victory at Ferrari at the moment. The cold war between the two is at its peak at the moment after the events of the Italian GP. The events that even got his father involved waging a war of words.

Read More: “Carlos Cheating!”: Fans Come Down Heavily on Sainz as He Steals Charles Leclerc’s Rightful Win in Hilarious Contest

This is exactly why many believe the Spaniard might already be on his way to a different team to get out of Leclerc’s shadow.

Carlos Sainz already signed with a different team in his attempts to come out of the shadow of Charles Leclerc at Ferrari

The 2023 season has made Sainz realize he will never get the preference over Leclerc at Ferrari. However, it’s too late in the Spaniard’s career to be in a driver’s shadow as the time for action is now.

This is exactly where there are reports suggesting Sainz has signed a pre-contract with Audi set to join the sport in 2026.

According to Auto Action, “Carlos Sainz has taken the first step to leave Ferrari at the end of his current contract by signing a pre-contract with Audi, as the German manufacturer is gradually taking control of the Sauber team (now Alfa Romeo) before becoming a full-fledged works team from the start of 2026.”

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

We are not sure if it will be the smartest move for Sainz to join a team in their initial year in the sport. However, if he does so, he will at least ensure respect from the team and at the moment, he’s lacking just that.