Carlos Sainz ready to accept 2025 Alpine offer on one condition

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Carlos Sainz could return to Enstone with Alpine after he leaves Ferrari. Sainz raced for the team back in 2018, when they were still known as Renault.

It was a short-lived partnership as the Spaniard moved on to McLaren for 2019. But beyond the change in branding, there has been plenty of personnel turnover in the six years since too.

Sainz had looked set to join Williams, with an announcement pencilled in for his home race in Barcelona. However, it seems he hesitated at the last minute.

That’s because Alpine and their new advisor Flavio Briatore improved their offer to sign him. A fortnight on, Sainz has stopped negotiating with Williams and instead held a fresh meeting with Briatore in Monaco.

Bruno Famin’s team started the year as the slowest on the grid, which meant they had little appeal in the driver market. But they’re now making clear strides under the guidance of new technical director David Sanchez, with eight points in the last five races.

That was enough to convince Pierre Gasly to sign a new multi-year deal as he approached the end of his contract. Alpine want Sainz to replace Esteban Ocon in the other seat after agreeing to part ways with the 27-year-old.

Carlos Sainz will only join Alpine if they have Mercedes engines for 2025

According to journalist Joe Saward, writing on his personal website, Sainz has made it clear he will only sign with Alpine if they can secure a Mercedes engine deal for next season. CEO Luca de Meo has already opened talks with the German giants.

This would mean Alpine sacrificing their status as Renault’s works team. But the Mercedes power unit is widely expected to be the best on the grid come the 2026 regulation changes.

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

De Meo is considering whether turning to an external supplier could be the best way to improve the team’s fortunes long term. But amid the uncertainty, ‘no one can really understand the attraction of Alpine’.

Even if they do reach an agreement with Mercedes, they’re ‘late to the party’. McLaren and Williams are ‘largely done’ offering their input on the 2025 engine, so Alpine would simply ‘get what they are given’.

Sainz still hoping one F1 team ‘falls apart’ before he makes 2025 decision

Sainz has shown that he’s willing to frustrate his suitors as he ensures he makes the best possible move. Williams seemingly thought a deal was done before Alpine’s late offensive.

Now, James Vowles has had to turn to alternatives like Esteban Ocon or Valtteri Bottas. Teams want to ensure they dictate the market, rather than the other way around.

Alpine should also be aware that Sainz doesn’t see them as an ideal destination. Part of the reason he hasn’t signed a contract yet is because he’s holding out hope that the relationship between Max Verstappen and Red Bull will fall apart.

If he gets a sniff of an opening with the world champions, he could turn his back on Alpine too. And even if he does agree to join for 2025, Martin Brundle has urged him to negotiate an exit clause into his deal in case Red Bull or Mercedes approach him in 12 months’ time.