Mercedes and Alpine in Tug-of-War for Carlos Sainz as Toto Wolff Hints at Last-Minute Bid Amidst F1 Signature Scramble

Race for Carlos Sainz's Autograph Intensifies – Has Toto Wolff Revealed an Important Hint?

"Last week my perspective was one thing, this week it's changed.”

The competition over Carlos Sainz's career prospects is intensifying at Silverstone.

The driver from Ferrari is set to be succeeded by Lewis Hamilton in the upcoming season, hence he is strategizing his future steps.

The roster of F1 drivers for the 2025 season will be significantly influenced by the team that Sainz decides to commit to

Williams, Sauber, and Alpine have been identified as the frontrunners in expressing significant interest, yet Mercedes might unexpectedly join the fray.

Seventeen-year-old sensation Andrea Kimi Antonelli currently holds the ninth position in Formula 2 following seven events, yet Mercedes has not secured his talents with a Formula 1 contract as of now.

Mundo Deportivo inquired with Mercedes leader Toto Wolff about whether Sainz remains a possibility for him.

"I'm hesitant to rush into a decision. However, the answer is affirmative," Wolff responded.

"Given additional time for decision-making, Carlos remains a viable option; however, Carlos must determine his next steps concerning other teams."

"We believe we've pinpointed the pool of drivers we're interested in collaborating with moving forward. Our goal is to make a choice that will benefit Mercedes over the coming five to six years."

"Kimi and George have served as our junior drivers for an extended period, and I am committed to remaining faithful to the program."

With that in mind, Carlos brings a particular worth to the team, especially given the anticipation of a tightly contested championship next year. We'll have another driver whose competitiveness, assuming our car performs well, could significantly contribute to our battle for the constructors' championship.

"Undoubtedly, there are numerous reasons to support it. This is precisely why I intend to deliberate carefully on this matter and maintain flexibility regarding my choices for as long as I can."

"When I had the conversation with Carlos, I made it clear to him: 'I doubt you have the patience to wait as long as I'm hoping you would.'"

At Silverstone, Wolff seemed to suggest that Sainz was back on his radar.

Wolff remarked on Antonelli, who is seemingly leading the race for the 2025 Mercedes position: "He's under a great deal of scrutiny. There's been much conversation about him."

"His unique achievements in junior formula and go-kart racing are unmistakable. It's evident that the stakes are getting higher."

"As his father puts it, a true champion must be plunged into icy waters and left to find their way to swim. They hold a firm belief in this principle."

"Currently, the situation with the drivers in the market is rather lively and intriguing. This is partially due to the fact that various drivers now have a wider range of choices, as do several of the teams."

"It's quite fascinating, really. Just as Bernie mentioned, what I believed last week has evolved into a new perspective this week."

Is Alpine leading the chase for Sainz?

In Italy, it is firmly believed that Flavio Briatore's Alpine team is set to secure Sainz's commitment.

Briatore, known for bringing Michael Schumacher to Benetton and Fernando Alonso to Renault, has returned to Formula 1 with Alpine.

According to a report by Gazzetta, he is set to persuade Sainz to commit to Alpine by signing a contract, focusing on a project designed around the engine regulations set for 2026.

At Silverstone, Williams' team leader James Vowles revealed he has backup strategies Plan Y and Plan Z in place, should he miss out on securing Sainz.

"Vowles reiterated his view, describing him as a driver of world-class caliber."

"There's no rush to make a choice right now. We don't have to decide immediately, and as I've consistently maintained, the schedule doesn't matter to me."

"The key point is that the outcome of our decision, or that of the driver, should focus on establishing a lasting partnership between us. This means we both recognize and value the path we're on and desire to integrate that into our lives."

"I'm quite confident that everything will be tidied up by the time we reach September, which is typically when you'd expect it if you consider it from a team perspective.

"We're currently returning to our usual routine where we dedicate August to contract work, but I'm confident everything will be concluded by that time."

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