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Sainz Shakes F1 Market with Williams Move: Audi and Alpine Scramble for Options
What are the implications for Audi and Alpine following Carlos Sainz's move to Williams?
What does Carlos Sainz's transfer to Williams mean for the future of the F1 driver market?
Merely a day after the start of the Formula 1 summer hiatus, there's been a shift in the roster of drivers.
On Monday, Sainz sealed his commitment to Williams by inking a long-term agreement.
Sainz emerged as the top driving talent accessible to several teams for the upcoming season, with three of them competing to secure his services.
The Spanish driver ultimately chose James Vowles' enticing initiative at Williams, pledging to spend no less than two years at Grove.
This creates an exceptional duo for Williams, teaming up Sainz with Alex Albon.
This means both the Sauber-Audi initiative and Alpine are in search of an additional driver.
Audi finds itself in a challenging situation, having failed to secure several of their primary choices.
Sainz was said to be the primary choice on their list, with Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly also being potential candidates.
Each of the trio of racers has decided not to transfer to Hinwil, choosing instead to stay with or switch to different teams in the midfield pack.
The decision of multiple drivers to bypass Sauber and Audi doesn't reflect well on either team, but what does this mean for their future?
Earlier in the year, Nico Hulkenberg secured a position with the team, ensuring one of the available spots was filled.
Hulkenberg's exceptional showings with Haas, along with his German nationality, naturally positioned him as a clear selection.
Regarding the second seat, their choices have become significantly restricted.
Presently, Valtteri Bottas stands out as the speediest choice available if they decide to keep him on board.
Critics might suggest that it seems like a lackluster option for the Audi endeavor. However, considering the primary contenders are his less successful colleague Zhou Guanyu and the dismissed Haas racer Kevin Magnussen, it's highly likely that Bottas will retain his position.
Audi appears interested in observing the outcome of Daniel Ricciardo's situation, particularly if he remains with Red Bull Racing or not.
This potentially opens the door for Liam Lawson if Ricciardo remains.
F1 journalist Lawrence Barretto reports that Audi has shown interest in Sergio Perez, yet Christian Horner has confirmed his continued place at Red Bull after a decisive meeting held on Monday.
Alpine
The Alpine team also faces limited choices.
Alpine was actively pursuing the signing of Sainz, with Flavio Briatore playing a key role in the discussions.
The potential move to Mercedes engines starting in 2026 did not entice Sainz to consider a change to Enstone.
Alpine seemingly has two distinct options.
Should they be in search of a seasoned, established racer, Bottas emerges as the most probable selection.
Nonetheless, there's a possibility that Jack Doohan might be promoted, as the Australian frequently conducts tests for the team from France.
Barretto mentioned that Valtteri Bottas is considered a contender for those seeking a seasoned driver, whereas Jack Doohan is seen as the top choice for teams aiming to invest in young talent and elevate their Driver Academy prospects.
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