Mercedes’ Dance with Sainz: A Near Miss in F1’s Driver Shuffle

Was Carlos Sainz nearly signed by Mercedes?

"It appeared he was back in the running. Or perhaps talks might start up once more…"

It has been disclosed that Mercedes did not extend a "firm proposal" to Carlos Sainz.

Departing Ferrari racer Sainz has opted for Williams over Sauber/Audi or Alpine as his team for the upcoming two seasons, determining the future of the last significant driver available in the F1 marketplace.

Mercedes has yet to announce who will take over Lewis Hamilton's spot as he heads to Ferrari, with Andrea Kimi Antonelli emerging as the top candidate. Meanwhile, at Silverstone, it appeared Sainz was back in contention.

Toto Wolff, who initially dismissed the idea of considering Sainz, suggested, "It's intriguing. As Bernie once mentioned, my perspective last week was one thing, but this week it has changed."

Following Sainz signing a contract with Williams, Craig Slater commented on the Sky F1 podcast, “He has opted for the most favorable choice given the limited alternatives available.

For at least the past month, he has not had access to the Red Bull seat.

He experienced back-and-forth interactions with Red Bull, possibly due to Christian Horner now being the authoritative figure instead of Helmut Marko. This shift in leadership this season might have played a role against him.

Horner remained supportive of Sergio Perez, indicating that considering other alternatives might not have been on the table.

"Six weeks ago, I covered a story on Mercedes, highlighting that given the decision-making timelines of both Mercedes and Sainz, he appeared to be back in the running. It suggested that talks might restart. However, there has been no progress."

I've made efforts to consult with individuals who are privy to Mercedes' strategies. It's my understanding that Mercedes didn't extend a formal proposal to Sainz, nor did they hint at an opportunity for him for a season. Therefore, it seems it was always highly unlikely.

In the end, he was torn between choosing Williams, Audi, and a last-minute offer from Alpine that certainly caught his attention.

"He has opted for Williams, a decision that doesn't seem promising in the short run given their recent performance. This has been a primary concern for Sainz."

"He is aware that these initiatives, for someone behind the wheel, might have negative effects initially. Your status can plummet from celebrated to insignificant."

"He believes that he'll appear most impressive in the Williams come next year."

Bernie Collins suggested on the Sky F1 podcast that the engine is a crucial factor for Carlos Sainz, stating, "Looking ahead to next year, it doesn't seem like there will be significant changes in the grid's hierarchy compared to this year."

"Among Williams, Sauber/Audi, and Alpine, Williams likely stands out as the top choice."

"Anticipating the upcoming regulations set for 2026, attention is being directed towards the engine."

"It remains uncertain which power unit Alpine will choose. It's confirmed that Audi will join the fray, while Williams has decided to continue its partnership with Mercedes."

"Most of us view the Mercedes engine as the most powerful."

"The anticipation is that, while it might not be a contender for victories and top finishes next year, there's a possibility that 2026 could offer a chance.

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

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