Audi still have Carlos Sainz’s name ‘highlighted’ as he considers Williams future

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Audi’s admiration for Carlos Sainz remains even though he turned them down two years ago, according to a report.

Sainz has an exit clause in his Williams contract at the end of this year and is weighing up his options after the Grove outfit’s disappointing start to 2026. He was persuaded to join the team because he thought they could bridge the gap to the frontrunners when the regulations changed.

Instead, they are third from bottom in the standings after three races – four places down on their encouraging 2025 showing – and have only scored two points. New entrants Audi are one spot ahead, having been rejected by Sainz when he left Ferrari.

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Audi and Aston Martin interested in Carlos Sainz

According to MARCA, Sainz’s commitment to helping Williams improve is ‘absolute’, but he knows that his 2027 decision will ‘define the rest of his career’. He turns 32 later this year, so it’s crucial to sign the right contract.

The Spanish outlet believe that Sainz is the leading candidate to replace Max Verstappen if the Red Bull driver retires at the end of the year. He entered F1 through their driver academy in 2015.

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But Aston Martin are ‘closely monitoring’ Sainz too, even if Fernando Alonso is inclined to keep racing beyond the expiry of his current deal and his 45th birthday.

Meanwhile, Audi have ‘always had Sainz’s name highlighted in red’, so they will be attentive to any opportunities. The four-time Grand Prix winner remains confident that the ‘pieces will fall into place’ for his career despite dropping into the midfield.

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Sainz worked with Mattia Binotto, Audi’s F1 CEO, during his time at Ferrari. Binotto was team principal when the Spaniard arrived in 2021, though he left at the end of 2022.

21-year-old Gabriel Bortoleto is seen as a star of the future, but Nico Hulkenberg (38) is at the opposite end of his career.

However, Hulkenberg is under contract until the end of 2027, and speaking to Sport Bild (via Motorsport), Binotto said retirement isn’t on the ‘short-term’ horizon.

“I cannot imagine that he will hand over the wheel and end his career in the short term,” said Binotto. “Nico still has plenty in the tank. Age does not seem to play a role. His lap times are good.”

Perhaps Binotto’s stance would change if Sainz made himself available, but for now, it seems that the Williams man is reliant on one of his fellow drivers vacating their seats if he is to switch teams.