Anthony Davidson now thinks he knows where Carlos Sainz will be driving in 2025

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Sky Sports pundit Anthony Davidson believes that Carlos Sainz will almost certainly end up driving for Sauber in 2025 when he leaves Ferrari.

Carlos Sainz will begin his final season with Ferrari at the Bahrain Grand Prix next week after being replaced by Lewis Hamilton for next season.

Speaking on Sky Sports covering the first day of pre-season testing at Sakhir, Davidson shared his thoughts on the 29-year-old’s future.

Davidson assumes Sainz will drive for Sauber in 2025

There are very few drivers who will have as many options on the table as Carlos Sainz this year.

While so many racers are out of contract at the end of 2024, Sainz is the only one who already knows his current team is going in a different direction.

The Spaniard will naturally be disappointed that things haven’t worked out with Ferrari.

He’s done a very good job in a car that’s not always been capable of challenging for wins during his time with the Italian manufacturer.

However, Frederic Vasseur has decided that Charles Leclerc is the driver he wants to pair with Hamilton for next year and beyond.

It means Sainz needs a new seat for 2025 and Davidson believes he’s almost certainly going to end up at Sauber.

The Swiss outfit became the Audi works team in 2026 and Sainz has been heavily linked with joining them already.

Sainz entering final F1 season with Ferrari

Speaking about the Spaniard, Davidson said: “Carlos [Sainz] is such a professional, that’s how I see him. He’s always there, solid driver, I think in mixed conditions he’s very, very good.

“Such a wise head that he has and he showcased that brilliantly in Singapore last year, playing the old DRS game with his old buddy Lando Norris behind him, using him basically to protect himself.

“How clever is that? I’m sure he’s got a lot of fans out there that are gutted to see him going but when Lewis Hamilton comes knocking at the door, it’s hard not to open it!”

Reporter Rachel Brookes then asked: “So, where does Carlos go? There have been talks and suggestions that maybe he’ll go to Sauber which will become Audi in 2026, is that an option for him?”

Davidson replied: “Yeah, I assume that’s going to happen. I just think that’s a very good place for an experienced, I’d say professional racer like he is to end up and help nurture a new team.

“It’s still Sauber of course, but there’ll be new people within that team that want to make their own mark in that moment in Formula 1.

“And I think he’ll be a brilliant driver to help guide and measure the aspirations and perhaps slight over-optimism as well in some moments as well.

“I think he’s an excellent driver in those scenarios.”

If Davidson is correct and Sainz does end up with Sauber in 2025, then he will have to quickly adjust to a different challenge compared to his past few seasons with Ferrari.

Zhou Guanyu and Valtteri Bottas struggled to challenge for points last year it would be a big surprise if that changed this season.

However, the added funding and support from Audi when they formally take over should give them a much-needed boost.

Although, as Alpine have proven, being a works team doesn’t guarantee success in F1.