Christian Horner has opened the door to the prospect of Pink Bull signing Carlos Sainz subsequent 12 months.
The Spanish driver is and not using a seat for 2025, with Mercedes’ seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton changing him at Ferrari after the tip of this season.
Nonetheless, after a surprising drive on Sunday to say his third F1 victory simply 16 days after present process surgical procedure to take away his appendix, Sainz has put himself firmly on the minds of different groups in search of a driver subsequent 12 months.
Whereas Max Verstappen is signed as much as a long-term deal at Pink Bull – although he has been linked with Mercedes amid the present unrest on the world champions – Sergio Perez’s deal expires on the finish of 2024.
When requested whether or not Pink Bull may goal Sainz’s signature, staff principal Horner mentioned: “Based mostly on a efficiency like that, you couldn’t rule any risk out.
“You’ve had a really quick unemployed driver win at this time.”
Horner additionally admitted that “typically you’ve bought to look exterior the pool” of Pink Bull drivers, regardless of Yuki Tsunoda’s “fast” begin to 2024 for RB.
Sainz was additionally the motive force who denied Pink Bull an ideal 2023 season, claiming the one non-Pink Bull victory in Singapore in September.
The Spaniard began his profession within the Pink Bull household, debuting in 2015 alongside Verstappen at sister staff Toro Rosso.
Carlos Sainz is presently and not using a seat for 2025
(Getty Photos)
Mercedes have additionally been linked with a transfer for Sainz in what would successfully symbolize a straight swap for Hamilton, who has signed a multi-year contract with the Scuderia.
It was a day to recollect for Ferrari, who claimed their first one-two end since Bahrain in 2022 as Charles Leclerc completed second.
Sainz joked about his 2025 standing with Sky F1 pundit Martin Brundle after his victory, saying: “I’m nonetheless jobless for subsequent 12 months, so I suppose that is good for me.
“However jokes apart, I do know that once I’m given an excellent automotive I can get it finished. I proved it in Singapore, I proved it right here.
“When it’s an excellent automotive, I’m joyful and I’m very proud of the automotive at this time.”
