Red Bull motorsport consultant Helmut Marko confirmed talks with Spanish driver Carlos Sainz in an interview with the “Kleine Zeitung” (Thursday). “We are talking to him, he is having his strongest season,” explained the Styrian when asked whether the Ferrari driver was a topic for future driver planning at the world champion racing team. According to Marko, Sainz has “a very lucrative offer from Audi that we cannot match or beat.”
The 29-year-old Sainz will lose his cockpit at “Scuderia” after this season after the Italians signed record world champion Lewis Hamilton. At Red Bull, Sergio Perez’s contract expires at the end of the season. But Marko also explained that the Mexican’s whereabouts were most likely. “It is clear that ‘Checo’ is currently having his best season since he has been with us. If he maintains these performances, like those in qualifying in Japan, then he is certainly the best option for 2025 at Red Bull,” said the 80-year-old.
Sainz’s career began at Toro Rosso, Red Bull’s talent factory. The team is now called Racing Bulls. At that time the Spaniard drove there with Max Verstappen. At Audi, Sainz, who is currently fourth in the World Cup rankings, could get off to a fresh start. However, the Germans will not compete with their own works team until 2026 after the Sauber takeover.
