Helmut Marko, a key figure at Red Bull, has confirmed ongoing discussions with Carlos Sainz. The Spanish driver is currently without a seat for 2025, but his impressive performance this season has caught the attention of many, including the champions from Milton Keynes. However, the offer from the upcoming Audi/Sauber project seems to be an unbeatable proposition.
Red Bull advisor, Helmut Marko, has made it clear in an interview that Carlos Sainz is definitely on their radar. A strong start to the season, including a victory in Australia, makes the Spaniard an attractive addition to any team. While Sergio Pérez is still waiting for a new contract, Marko admits that there are talks with Sainz.
“We are certainly in talks with him,” says the 80-year-old Red Bull executive. “He is in his strongest Formula 1 season so far.” The current Ferrari driver has been on the podium in all his races and, after Max Verstappen’s dropout in Melbourne, clinched the third victory of his career. This impressive resume makes Red Bull not the only interested party. For a while, Mercedes seemed very close to a deal, but according to Marko, Audi has the best cards for Sainz.
Audi’s Offer Too Good
“He has received a very lucrative offer from Audi that we cannot match,” admits Marko. Audi, which will take over the current Stake F1 Team from 2026, has been linked to Carlos Sainz for a long time. Reportedly, the Germans are aiming for a line-up of the smooth operator and the German Formula 1 veteran Nico Hülkenberg. Sainz is said to have already been given a deadline by Sauber.
Adding to this, Red Bull has had some past issues with the Spanish driver. “We, of course, remember him from his time at Toro Rosso,” explains Marko. “He was racing with Max then. It significantly affected him when Red Bull decided to proceed with Verstappen and not him.”
