In a plot twist that could rival a soap opera, Carlos Sainz has supposedly inked a preliminary deal with Audi, aiming to make F1 waves in 2026. Currently entangled in Ferrari's embrace until 2024, there's also talk that he's inked an extended deal with the Maranello crew, because, you know, when it rains contracts, it pours.
Rumor has it that Sainz's Audi attraction might be due to some family ties, courtesy of his dad, Carlos Sainz Senior. During the Belgian Grand Prix, Sainz Jr. shared his preference for a serene season start, sans contract shenanigans that distract from navigating the track.
While there's no official song and dance yet, the "silly season" is on the horizon, implying the rumor mill will be working overtime. Curious about pre-contracts? Well, they're like the "I promise to call you" of the contract world – not legally binding, but they can fuel intrigue.
Sainz's gang is singing the "Ferrari or nothing" tune. Even the Italian arm of Motorsport.com got in on the action, discussing potential Audi dalliances with someone from Sainz's inner circle. This circle also reveals that Sainz is yearning for a new deal, kind of like a kid coveting the latest toy.
Interestingly, despite Leclerc sometimes getting a fancier red carpet treatment at Ferrari, Sainz is reportedly still content in his Ferrari seat. The possibility of him hopping over to Audi? As unlikely as finding a snowman in the Sahara.
But, oh, patience is a virtue and a requirement. Ferrari's fresh boss, Frederic Vasseur, is giving priority to racing performance over contract chatter. They're putting their magic into the SF23's speed before diving into "side hustle" stuff like contracts.
In the land of rumor-quashing, Ferrari's squad is waving off any Audi fling for 2025. Sainz's heart is still firmly parked in the Ferrari garage, and he's dreaming of a sequel with them. His inner circle echoes, "Plan A, B, and C? All roads lead to Ferrari."
Audi's smitten with Sainz, yet his unshakeable loyalty to Ferrari suggests that if Maranello extends an invitation, the Sainz-Leclerc duo could keep their bromance rolling past 2024.
Ferrari's maestro, Fred Vasseur, isn't sharing future plans yet. He's more engrossed in perfecting the SF-23 for the impending races, particularly the U.S. Grand Prix. Beyond the current season, they're assembling a dream team of technical wizards for the anticipated 2024 machine.
On the other side, Audi's slow dance with Sauber is picking up tempo. The grand finale is expected in 2026 with Audi engines. Meanwhile, Andreas Seidl, the big cheese at Sauber Group, seems to be keeping Bottas and Zhou Guanyu on the bench in his 2025 plans. Audi's on a talent hunt, aiming to find speedsters who share their vision for F1 domination.
So, stay tuned, folks – this saga of contracts, dreams, and roaring engines is far from its final lap.
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