Martin Brundle says there’s a ‘no-brainer’ move for Carlos Sainz ahead of 2025 season

Follow us on Google Discover

Sky Sports commentator and former F1 driver Martin Brundle has told Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz there’s a ‘no-brainer’ move he could make for next season.

Carlos Sainz has been sensational in 2024 but is the talk of the paddock because his future is still undecided for next year.

Speaking on the Sky Sports F1 Podcast, Brundle shared where he thinks the Spaniard should go next year if the opportunity arises.

Martin Brundle tells Carlos Sainz to make ‘no-brainer’ 2025 move

There are realistically still five teams on the grid that Carlos Sainz could join next season.

His current team Ferrari are ruled out, as are McLaren having already signed up Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri to long-term deals.

Any team in the bottom half of the Constructors’ Championship would take Sainz in a heartbeat.

The most realistic option out of that quintet is Sauber – soon to be Audi – who are very keen on the 29-year-old.

However, Sainz will be looking further up the grid given he’s the most recent race winner aside from Max Verstappen.

Aston Martin are an option but only if Fernando Alonso moves on considering Lance Stroll is unlikely to be let go despite his inconsistent performances.

That leaves Mercedes and Red Bull and Martin Brundle thinks it’s a ‘no-brainer’ that Sainz joins the current champions next season if they put a contract on the table.

Sergio Perez has entered the last year of his deal, but there are also question marks over Max Verstappen’s future.

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

Carlos Sainz told to make Red Bull if the opportunity arises

Speaking about Sainz’s future, Brundle said: “Will [Sergio] Perez keep the Red Bull seat? That’s the key, that’s the cork in the bottle.

“Where does that leave [Carlos] Sainz because putting Sainz in the Red Bull would be a no-brainer for me or an Aston Martin or a Mercedes-Benz for that matter.

“He’s now got the experience, got the speed, he’s still got youth on his side to an extent.”

Carlos Sainz would be a phenomenal option for any team on the grid and is in the best form of his life.

Ferrari won’t regret their decision to sign Lewis Hamilton given his pedigree but might be wishing they could run three cars next season.

Charles Leclerc may be ahead of his teammate in the Drivers’ Championship, but that’s only down to Sainz missing the race in Saudi Arabia due to surgery.

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Red Bull Racing from engine to Ford links

Red Bull should listen to Ralf Schumacher when making 2025 driver line-up decision – opinion

Accepting a contract from Red Bull is a no-brainer for any driver as Brundle suggests and Sainz would be unlikely to say no regardless of which current driver he replaces.

Former F1 race winner Ralf Schumacher said after the Japanese Grand Prix that Red Bull have to act now.

Speaking to Sky Germany, he said: “Now is precisely the time to strike, now that Sainz is on the market. It has to happen now.

“[Sergio] Perez is the candidate to have to leave the seat. [Fernando] Alonso is also still on the market.

“That’s why Red Bull has to make a decision now.”

Red Bull would be very wise to sign Carlos Sainz before he gets snapped up by another team.

He’s very much the best option out of the potential free agents in Formula 1, including two-time world champion Fernando Alonso because of his age.

Whether Max Verstappen and his team would be happy with a reunion with Sainz is another matter.

But that’s the nature of Formula 1, teammates are meant to be friends, they’re meant to be fast.