Inside the Negotiations: How Close Was Carlos Sainz to Joining Mercedes?

Was Mercedes ever on the verge of signing Carlos Sainz?

"There were signs that he might be a candidate once more. Conversations might restart…"

Reports indicate that Mercedes did not extend a "definite proposal" to Carlos Sainz.

Departing Ferrari driver Sainz has opted to join Williams over Sauber/Audi or Alpine for the upcoming two seasons, thus determining the future of the last significant available driver in the F1 market.

Mercedes has yet to announce who will be taking over for Lewis Hamilton, who is set to join Ferrari (though Andrea Kimi Antonelli appears to be the leading candidate). Meanwhile, Sainz appeared to rejoin the competition at Silverstone.

Toto Wolff, who had earlier dismissed the idea of Sainz, suggested a change of heart by saying, "It's… intriguing. And as Bernie mentioned, my views can change; last week I felt one way, this week I feel differently."

After Sainz signed a contract with Williams, Craig Slater mentioned on the Sky F1 podcast that Sainz had picked the best option he had, given that his choices were quite restricted.

"For at least the past month, the Red Bull position has been out of his reach."

"There was a lot of back-and-forth between him and Red Bull. It’s possible that the shift in authority from Helmut Marko to Christian Horner, a change that happened this season, worked against him."

"Horner remained loyal to Sergio Perez, indicating that alternative choices were likely not considered."

"Six weeks ago, I mentioned that Mercedes and Sainz had specific deadlines for making their decisions, which made it seem like he was back in the running or that talks could resume. However, nothing has progressed since then."

"I've attempted to consult with individuals who are privy to Mercedes' strategies. From what I gather, Mercedes has neither extended a formal offer to Sainz nor even considered the possibility for a season. Therefore, it seems it was always an unlikely prospect."

In the end, he had to choose among Williams, Audi, and a last-minute offer from Alpine that caught his attention.

“He has chosen Williams, which doesn’t seem like a strong short-term choice given their recent performance. This has been a major consideration for Sainz.”

He realizes that these initiatives can be harmful for a driver in the short run. You can quickly fall from being celebrated to being criticized.

"He seems to believe that he will perform the best in the Williams car next year."

Engine Cited as Major Factor for Carlos Sainz

Bernie Collins mentioned on the Sky F1 podcast that the team rankings for next year are unlikely to differ significantly from this year's standings.

“Williams, Sauber/Audi, Alpine… Out of these, Williams is likely the top choice.

"With the introduction of new regulations set for 2026, attention is being directed towards the engine."

"We're uncertain about Alpine's choice of engine. Audi's entry is confirmed. Williams is set to continue its partnership with Mercedes."

"Most of us believe that the Mercedes engine is the most powerful."

"The anticipation is that, although it might not be in contention for podium finishes and victories next year, there could be potential opportunities in 2026."

"That represents just a single year of missed outcomes. Carlos is showing a bit more foresight."

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