**Scramble for Sainz: Toto Wolff Drops Key Hint as Alpine and Rivals Intensify Pursuit**

Competition intensifies for Carlos Sainz's contract – did Toto Wolff reveal an important hint?

"Last week I felt one way, this week I feel differently."

The competition over Carlos Sainz’s future is intensifying at Silverstone.

The Ferrari driver is set to be replaced by Lewis Hamilton next season and is now planning his next steps.

The 2025 Formula 1 driver roster greatly depends on Carlos Sainz's decision regarding his future team.

The teams most notably interested are Williams, Sauber, and Alpine, though Mercedes might unexpectedly become a contender again.

Seventeen-year-old Andrea Kimi Antonelli, considered a prodigious talent, currently holds the ninth position in the Formula 2 standings after seven rounds. Despite his promising performance, Mercedes has not yet secured his future in Formula 1 with a contract.

Mundo Deportivo inquired with Mercedes head Toto Wolff whether Sainz remains a possibility for the team.

"I prefer to avoid hasty decisions. However, it is true," Wolff responded.

"If we have additional time to make a decision, Carlos remains a potential option. However, Carlos must decide what he will do concerning the other teams."

“We have identified a select group of drivers we are interested in collaborating with moving forward. Our goal is to make a choice that benefits Mercedes over the next five to six years.”

"Kimi and George have been part of our junior driver team for quite a while, and I want to remain committed to the program."

"However, having Carlos on the team brings a significant advantage. In a tightly contested championship next year, he will be a highly competitive driver. If our car performs well, he could assist us in the battle for the constructors' championship."

“There are definitely numerous reasons to support it. Therefore, I intend to carefully consider my decision and leave all possibilities available for as long as I can.”

“When I had a conversation with Carlos, I mentioned to him, ‘I doubt you'll be able to wait as long as I hope you would.’”

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

Wolff commented on Antonelli, who seems to be the leading candidate for the 2025 Mercedes position: "He is under a considerable amount of pressure. There has been a lot of discussion surrounding him."

“His achievements in junior formula racing and go-karting are unparalleled. It’s evident that the pressure intensifies.”

According to his father, a champion must be plunged into icy waters and taught to swim. They understand this concept very well.

"The current situation in the driver market is very fluid and intriguing. This is largely due to the fact that both drivers and teams have a variety of choices available to them."

"It's quite intriguing. Just as Bernie mentioned, my viewpoint has shifted from last week to this week."

Has Alpine secured Sainz?

Meanwhile, in Italy, there is strong confidence that Flavio Briatore’s Alpine team will succeed in signing Sainz.

Flavio Briatore, the man responsible for bringing Michael Schumacher to Benetton and Fernando Alonso to Renault, has returned to Formula 1 with Alpine.

According to Gazzetta, he plans to persuade Sainz to commit to Alpine for a project designed around the 2026 engine regulations.

During an event at Silverstone, James Vowles, the team principal of Williams, mentioned that he has devised alternative strategies, referred to as Plan Y and Plan Z, in case he is unable to secure Sainz

"I will reiterate that he is an elite driver," Vowles stated.

"The decision doesn't need to be made right away. There's no urgency for us to decide today, and I've always maintained that the timing isn't a priority for me."

The key point is that the ultimate decision, whether made by us or the driver, should focus on building a lasting partnership. It's about both parties recognizing the journey they are on together and wanting it to be an integral part of their lives.

"I’m quite confident that this will all be sorted out before September arrives, which is the usual timeframe when considering it from a team perspective."

"We are returning to our usual routine where we handle contracts in August, and I expect everything will be completed by that time."

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