Audi sets Carlos Sainz imminent deadline for Mercedes decision as 2 Plan-B targets emerge

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Audi has set Ferrari exile Carlos Sainz an imminent deadline to decide if he wants to join Sauber over Mercedes in 2025 with two Formula 1 rivals making the Plan-B list.

The 29-year-old remains one of the hottest properties on the market after Ferrari decided to drop Sainz for Lewis Hamilton. He will leave Maranello when the Spaniard’s contract expires at the end of 2024 after the Scuderia opted against awarding Sainz a new deal in February.

Ferrari held talks with Sainz about staying on beyond this year but changed their target after learning that Hamilton could quit Mercedes. The 39-year-old signed a contract for the 2024 and 2025 seasons at the Silver Arrows in August but his deal only gave the option for 2025.

Audi wants an answer from Mercedes target Carlos Sainz by the 2024 Monaco GP

Sainz has shown Ferrari what they are letting walk out of the door by winning the Australian GP in March. Now, Audi has identified Sainz as one of its top targets to drive for Sauber next term. But the German brand wants an answer as it prepares to take over Sauber come 2026.

That is according to F1-Insider, which reports that Audi wants Sainz to declare if he is willing to drive for Sauber in 2025 by the 2024 Monaco Grand Prix. F1 will race in the Principality in just two weeks’ time but Audi is keen to sign its second driver after landing Nico Hulkenberg.

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari in 2025

Audi has offered Sainz a long-term contract like Hulkenberg, who signed a three-year deal to leave Haas after 2024. But Sainz is hesitant to commit to Audi as Mercedes have also made an offer. The Silver Arrows are open to him replacing Hamilton but on just a short-term deal.

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff is only offering Sainz a contract for 2025 with options to stay beyond next season. The Silver Arrows want to keep their options open for 2026 in case Max Verstappen opts to quit Red Bull or their academy driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli is ready.

Alpine drivers Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly are Audi’s Plan-B targets to Carlos Sainz

Now, Sainz must decide if he is happy to race for a future with Mercedes on a one-year deal or sign a multi-year contract with Audi and drive for Sauber in 2025. Audi is pushing Sainz to give an answer before the Monaco GP, too, with Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly its backups.

READ MORE: Every 2024 Formula 1 driver’s contract lengths and wages

Audi has Alpine teammates Ocon and Gasly on its Plan-B list with both French drivers out of contract after 2024. They are not the only alternative drivers Audi has on its Plan-B list for in case Sainz turns down a deal. But Ocon and Gasly’s contracts make them attractive options.

Gasly and Ocon are also both Grand Prix winners with years of experience on the grid. Gasly won the 2020 Italian GP for AlphaTauri and Ocon won the Hungarian GP in 2021 with Alpine. Valtteri Bottas, Daniel Ricciardo and Sergio Perez are also Grand Prix winners out of contract.