Sainz ‘more likely’ to snub replacing Hamilton at Mercedes to join F1 rival after Ferrari exit

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Ralf Schumacher thinks Carlos Sainz is ‘more likely’ to join Audi than he is to replace Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes after the Spaniard lost his drive at Ferrari to the F1 icon.

The Scuderia announced on Thursday that Hamilton has agreed to join Ferrari as of the 2025 season. He will replace Sainz in Maranello after president John Elkann opted against offering the Spaniard a new deal. A chance to coax Hamilton from Mercedes was too good to refuse.

Sainz held talks with Ferrari regarding a new contract with his existing deal expiring after the 2024 season. But Hamilton will now quit Mercedes to race in red beside Charles Leclerc for, at least, 2025. Ferrari gave Leclerc a new contract in January with his old deal also expiring.

Ralf Schumacher tips Carlos Sainz to snub replacing Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes

Several candidates are now emerging to replace Hamilton – including Mercedes’ 17-year-old protégé, Andrea Kimi Antonelli. One of the most sought-after Formula 1 drives is now up for grabs beside George Russell. While Sainz is likely to be one of the most sought-after drivers.

But former BMW and Toyota F1 driver, Schumacher, thinks Sainz joining Sauber ahead of the outfit – currently operating as Stake F1 Team for sponsorship reasons – becoming the works Audi entry in 2026 is more likely than the 29-year-old joining Mercedes to replace Hamilton.

“Of course, there is a Carlos Sainz on the market,” Schumacher told Sky Germany regarding which drivers Mercedes may now target, “even if I think he is more likely to end up at Audi.”

Audi already had eyes on Carlos Sainz at Ferrari for a 2025 F1 drive with Sauber

Audi formally acquired a stake in Sauber in January 2023 with the plan to make the Hinwil, Switzerland-based outfit their works F1 team in 2026. Reports by Sky Sports before Ferrari signed Hamilton from Mercedes even suggested Audi was targeting Sainz for a 2025 drive.

Now, Audi has a free run at making Sainz one of its F1 drivers ahead of joining the travelling circus in 2026. But Mercedes might target the Madrid native to replace Hamilton with Sainz a proven Grand Prix winner. He won the 2022 British GP and 2023 Singapore GP with Ferrari.

The son of rally legend, Carlos Sainz Sr, was also the only non-Red Bull race-winner in 2023. He further took pole position at the 2023 Italian GP and Singapore GP, where Sainz enjoyed a flawless defensive drive to hold off Russell and McLaren ace Lando Norris to win the race.