Carlos Sainz told ‘natural’ next F1 drive after ‘disturbing’ Ferrari exit for Lewis Hamilton

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Eddie Jordan believes Carlos Sainz lost his Ferrari seat to Lewis Hamilton for 2025 in a ‘disturbing’ way but his ‘natural’ move to Red Bull will not offer him a long-term drive.

The Scuderia have chosen not to offer Sainz a new contract and coax Hamilton to Maranello from next year. He will race in red beside Charles Leclerc on a multi-year deal after triggering an escape clause in the 39-year-old’s contract at Mercedes, which he only signed in August.

Hamilton has chosen to walk away from Brackley after the 2024 season having failed to win a Grand Prix since 2021. He has stood on the top step of the F1 podium at 82 races since he joined Mercedes in 2013. The Briton further won six of his seven titles from 2014 until 2020.

Ferrari ditched Carlos Sainz for Lewis Hamilton in a ‘disturbing’ way

A chance to sign Hamilton for the 2025 season onwards was simply too enticing for Ferrari’s president, John Elkann. The Maranello natives were in talks with Sainz over a new deal with his existing terms ending after 2024. But Elkann canned their discussions to target Hamilton.

Sainz has been with Ferrari since the 2021 season when he replaced Sebastian Vettel next to Leclerc. But he only ever enjoyed two-year contracts with the Italian powerhouse. Now, the 29-year-old is on the market for 2025 alongside around half of the 20-strong Formula 1 field.

Red Bull could offer Carlos Sainz his next seat on the Formula 1 grid

Sainz has enjoyed some success since joining Ferrari having won his first race at the 2022 British GP. The Spaniard also returned to the top step of a podium after a brilliant, defensive drive at the 2023 Singapore GP. He has also had five poles and earned 16 of his 18 podiums.

Now, the Madrid native will hope his record in red helps him land a premier gig on the 2025 grid. A move to Red Bull might be an option for Sainz with Sergio Perez out of contract after the 2024 season. He is a product of their driver academy and broke into F1 with Toro Rosso.

Sainz ultimately left Toro Rosso for Renault near the end of the 2017 season, before joining McLaren in 2019. Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko recently suggested that Sainz also had a ‘quite toxic’ relationship with Max Verstappen whilst teammates with Toro Rosso.

Eddie Jordan doubts Carlos Sainz would last long driving for Red Bull

Nonetheless, former F1 team owner Jordan believes Sainz joining Verstappen at Red Bull to replace Perez would be his ‘natural’ move after losing a seat at Ferrari to Hamilton. But any move to Milton Keynes may be short with Alex Albon out of contract at Williams after 2025.

Jordan said on the Formula for Success podcast: “It’s a pretty disturbing situation to be told that you’re going to be replaced at the end of the year.

“I have to remember that he came through the baby formula. He came through Toro Rosso. He’s yet another great example of a rookie in there getting his first blood there. So, I would say the natural progression for him is to replace Perez, if that’s the situation.

“But, nevertheless, I don’t know how long that would last for him because I think Albon has to be a contender, certainly for 2026. So, it’s a difficult time for Sainz, incredibly difficult.”