Carlos Sainz has now ‘stopped negotiations’ with F1 team who were preparing to announce him

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Carlos Sainz has taken time to carefully consider his future this season. Ferrari informed him that he’d be let go in the winter as they struck a deal with Lewis Hamilton.

Initially, Sainz would have hoped to remain at the front of the grid by joining Mercedes or Red Bull. The Silver Arrows, of course, had a clear vacancy after Hamilton’s exit.

And they did hold talks with the Spaniard. Toto Wolff says they reached an advanced stage before the team decided to go in another direction.

They’ve instead been monitoring the progress of academy driver Kimi Antonelli, while holding out hope of signing Max Verstappen. And now, Sainz may be hoping they can pull off an extraordinary move for the world champion.

He’s banking on Red Bull ‘falling apart’ so that Verstappen leaves and he receives an offer to partner Sergio Perez. Until he’s certain that Christian Horner won’t pick up the phone, he won’t sign with another team.

The reality, of course, is that this is extremely unlikely. Sainz is of interest to multiple midfield teams, but clearly has reservations about each of them – otherwise his future would already be resolved.

Carlos Sainz no longer talking to Williams amid fresh Alpine push

According to Formu1a.uno, Sainz has now ceased negotiations with Williams. Instead, he wants to ‘further explore the proposal’ made by Alpine advisor Flavio Briatore.

Sainz and the newly-appointed Briatore apparently held ‘an important meeting’ in Monte Carlo on Wednesday. This comes after the Enstone outfit improved their offer for the three-time race-winner.

• READ MORE: Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz’s life outside F1 from full name, girlfriend and height

Alpine didn’t seem to have much hope of bringing him back. He’d previously raced for them in the guise of Renault but left after just one full season (2018) to join McLaren.

But their pivot towards an external engine supply deal has been key. CEO Luca de Meo has opened talks with Mercedes, whom Sainz believes will have the best power unit on the grid come 2026.

F1 paddock was ‘certain’ Williams would announce Sainz

This comes as a major blow to Williams team principal James Vowles, who was on the verge of surely the biggest coup of the 2024 silly season. Journalists in the F1 paddock were ‘certain’ that the Grove squad would be announcing Sainz at his home race in Spain last month.

That indicates that the contract was on the table, ready to be signed. But Alpine clearly managed to turn Sainz’s head successfully.

Vowles seems to have accepted defeat already. That’s why he’s stepped up his pursuit of alternatives like Esteban Ocon and Valtteri Bottas.

Audi have also been a longtime contender for Sainz, but their refusal to budge on the terms of their contract could cost them. They’ve already signed Nico Hulkenberg to one of their two seats for next season.