Carlos Sainz is one in every of 12 F1 drivers with out a contract for subsequent season as he’ll go away Ferrari on the finish of this yr with Lewis Hamilton becoming a member of the group; F1 returns to Shanghai for the primary time in 5 years for the Chinese GP on April 19-21, dwell on Sky Sports F1

Carlos Sainz is eager to “speed up” his contract negotiations as he seems to be to safe a seat on the 2025 F1 grid.

Sainz, who took one other podium on Sunday on the Japanese Grand Prix, will go away Ferrari on the finish of this yr as he is changed by Lewis Hamilton.

The 29-year-old has been linked with Mercedes, Aston Martin, Red Bull and Sauber, who will change into Audi from 2026.

A transfer to Mercedes would sign a straight swap with Hamilton, becoming a member of Aston Martin would seemingly imply changing Fernando Alonso and switching to Red Bull could be instead of Sergio Perez, until Max Verstappen surprisingly leaves.

Audi’s takeover of Sauber means there might be a brand new line-up, with the present pairing of Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu removed from sure.

“I’m talking to a few [teams] because that’s what my management team and myself should do when I don’t have a job for next year yet. So, we’re talking to pretty much all of them,” stated Sainz.

“It’s only a matter of clearly going extra into element and seeing the extra life like choices and what are the very best choices for me and for my future, which I haven’t got any information for you or nothing to say right here.

“The only thing I would say is that, obviously it’s time now to speed up a bit everything and hopefully we can get it sorted sooner rather than later.”

Sainz: I’ve no clue the place I can be subsequent yr

Over the Japanese Grand Prix weekend, Perez said he expects to know what his future is in “a month” and Toto Wolff said “some of the really good guys are about to sign for some of the other teams” when requested about Mercedes’ seat alongside George Russell for 2025.

Sainz made his F1 debut in 2015 however has by no means been rated this extremely as he’s the one non-Red Bull race winner within the final 18 months, after profitable the 2023 Singapore Grand Prix and the Australian Grand Prix earlier this season.

He can also be outperforming Charles Leclerc at Ferrari this season and, together with Alonso, is the very best driver with out a contract for subsequent yr.

“I have no clue where I will be next year. It’s true we’re talking to many teams,” Sainz instructed Sky Sports F1 after his third place in Suzuka.

“I just need to keep focused on what I’m doing, prove to myself and everyone that when I’m given a fast car, I maximise what I’m given and I deliver.

“It’s been a robust begin to the season. With this automobile you possibly can shine a bit extra. With final yr’s automobile, I did performances just like this yr however you could not shine.

“It was a much more difficult car to drive, a lot more degradation and you were looking backwards in the race. This year you are looking forwards and are overtaking, which allows you to shine a bit more. It helps but I will keep pushing.”

He added: “It also depends on other teams, what they choose to go for. They know I’m available, so let’s see what happens.”

Next up is the return of the Chinese Grand Prix on April 19-21, which can also be the primary Sprint weekend of the season. You can watch each session dwell on Sky Sports F1 and steam every F1 race and more with a NOW Sports Month Membership – No contract, cancel anytime

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