David Coulthard now shares where he thinks Carlos Sainz will be driving in 2025

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David Coulthard has suggested that the ‘safe money’ would be that Carlos Sainz joins Sauber – soon to be Audi – when he leaves Ferrari at the end of the season.

Carlos Sainz is going to have his choice of teams to move to at the end of 2024 when he’s replaced by Lewis Hamilton.

Speaking on the Formula For Success Podcast, the Scottish racing legend suggested there were two more teams that might be tempted by a move for the 29-year-old.

Coulthard says ‘safe money’ is on Sainz to Audi

There are going to be few drivers on the grid with as much to prove in 2024 than Carlos Sainz.

He had a fine season with Ferrari last year and has been a superb option for the team ever since joining in 2021.

However, once the chance to sign Lewis Hamilton arose, Ferrari had little option but to take it and Charles Leclerc was already on the cusp of signing a long-term deal.

Coulthard has now speculated on where he thinks Sainz will end up and thinks Audi is a safe bet.

He’s one of several drivers on their shortlist before they enter the sport officially at the end of 2025.

However, they may face competition from another team on the grid who are ‘big admirers’ of the Spaniard.

Sainz won’t be short of options for 2025

Talking about the 29-year-old’s future, Coulthard said: “Let’s expand on the Ferrari situation and that [Carlos] Sainz, we’re all waiting to find out where he’s going.

“The safe money would suggest a sort of Sauber into Audi because of the obvious links to his father.

“But he is a very potent available solution for next year for Mercedes or any other team that suddenly had a space within.

“Red Bull could potentially be there, he’s got previous history with them, although Checo [Perez] does seem refreshed and ready to go and up for the challenge.”

As Coulthard highlights, although Audi seems like a logical option for Sainz, he could end up at a much stronger team in 2025.

Eddie Jordan has already urged the Spaniard to avoid a move to the German manufacturer and doesn’t believe they’ll be competitive enough for him.

Sainz has admitted that he doesn’t think Ferrari will count on him for one thing this season.

Given his time in red is coming to an end, that seems like a wise decision, although Sainz would love nothing more than to beat his teammate and make Frederic Vasseur question whether he parted with the right driver.