29-year-old driver’s father already has ‘excellent’ relationship with Audi amid seat swap rumours

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Audi are already starting to identify drivers they want to be part of their line-up when they enter Formula 1 and the relationship they have with Carlos Sainz’s father could play a part.

The German manufacturer don’t technically join the grid until 2026, but one current driver is already in ‘pole position’ to earn a seat with them.

However, a report from RacingNews365 suggests that the Spanish driver is still very much on their radar.

The nature of Formula 1 means that even when every seat on the grid is occupied, speculation about the future is never far away.

Ferrari could be at the centre of that, with both Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz’s contracts set to end next year.

It looks like Leclerc is set to sign a new long-term deal which leaves Sainz in a precarious position.

He’s keen to stay in the team, but they’re beginning to look at other options.

Sainz is now being eyed by Audi and Red Bull but the relationship his father has with the German manufacturer could make a big difference.

The 29-year-old was the only driver who managed to disrupt Red Bull’s dominance last season in Singapore.

That has only added to his reputation, but Ferrari seem keen to stick with Leclerc and then potentially look elsewhere.

Sainz’s father has ‘excellent’ relationship with Audi

The report from RacingNews365 suggests that Sainz senior already has an ‘excellent record’ with Audi.

Rumours are ‘quickly circulating’ and although Sainz wants to stay at Ferrari he may have to consider his options elsewhere.

They go on to say that ‘it will soon become clear’ whether Sainz will re-sign with Ferrari for ‘one or two years’.

With Audi taking full control of Sauber in 2026, a one-year contract might make the most sense for Sainz to keep his options open.

Zhou Guanyu and Valtteri Bottas will want to have something to say about that but if Audi have lofty ambitions then they’ll want the best driver line-up possible.

The relationship Audi already have with Sainz’s father could play a part after he drove for the team in the Dakar Rally for the past two seasons.

While he didn’t end the season in the way he would have liked, he’ll already be looking forward to getting back on track in Bahrain.