Audi demanding ‘quick answer’ from driver they want to partner Carlos Sainz

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Audi are reportedly pushing to reach an agreement with the driver they want as Carlos Sainz’s teammate. The German manufacturer will enter F1 in 2026 when they assume control of the Sauber team.

While they won’t be racing next year, they still appear to be exerting control over Sauber’s 2025 driver-line up choices. Current drivers Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu are both out of contract at the end of this year.

And writing on his website, journalist Joe Saward has named the driver they want to pair with Sainz. The Spaniard is a free agent for 2025 after Ferrari decided to replace him with Lewis Hamilton.

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The expectation is that Sainz will either join Sauber or Williams next year after Fernando Alonso extended his contract at Aston Martin. Sainz had been a contender for a seat with the Silverstone outfit beforehand.

Sky Sports F1 pundit Martin Brundle says Audi are now ‘pressuring’ the 29-year-old to sign on the dotted line. Sainz would represent a significant coup given that he’s a three-time Grand Prix winner who’s scored 21 podiums in his career.

Audi have identified ideal Carlos Sainz teammate

Alongside Sainz, Audi apparently want German driver Nico Hulkenberg to represent them in 2026. That would likely mean a return to Sauber for 2025 prior to the rebrand.

Hulkenberg first raced for the Swiss team in 2013 in between two spells at Force India (now Aston Martin). His Haas deal is up at the end of the year.

According to Saward, Hulkenberg and Sainz’s are Audi’s ‘top’ two choices for their seats. They want clarity fast, but doubts over their competitiveness are prompting both drivers to stall.

Saward wrote: “I’m told that Audi is trying to force quick answers out of its top choices: Carlos Sainz and Nico Hulkenberg, but that may not be too smart a strategy as top drivers will always wait on the best drive… and no-one in the world thinks Audi is going to be that.”

Sergio Perez on Audi radar alongside Nico Hulkenberg

If Hulkenberg and/or Sainz say no to Audi, then they do have other options. They could, of course, retain one or both of Bottas and Zhou, but they don’t seem especially keen on either.

Journalist Scott Mitchell-Malm has described Zhou, the first Chinese racer in F1 history, as a ‘pay driver’. But with the backing of an automotive giant, they may not need his sponsorship revenue going forward.

Another big-name candidate is Red Bull’s Sergio Perez. His availability, of course, depends on whether the team offer him a new deal, and he’s started the season in solid fashion.

A report in Germany has also mentioned Alpine duo Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon as possible contenders amid the French team’s woes. Meanwhile, RB’s Yuki Tsunoda is bound to be on their radar too.

Audi have set their sights on winning titles in Formula 1 but they accept that will be a long-term process. Privately, they expect to be in contention by about 2031.