Carlos Sainz’s father has revealed that Audi have made “contact” with the Ferrari driver, ahead of their merge with Sauber in 2026.
Audi will hold a 75% stake in the Sauber F1 team in 2026, which will become an Audi works team when the new power unit regulations are introduced.
The German manufacturer will be a power unit supplier, with development already underway ahead of the new regulations.
Sainz has been linked to Audi for a few months now; however, little has been said over the situation.
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However, the Ferrari driver’s father has now revealed that Audi and Sainz have been in contact.
The rally legend is impressed by the work being done by Audi and also discussed how the man orchestrating Audi’s merge with Sauber, ex-McLaren boss Andreas Seidl, knows his son well.
“Of course there is contact but nothing [concrete] at the moment,” Sainz Snr told PlanetF1.com. “I think for us, it is a moment to wait and see.
“But of course, Audi, they are moving. They are working hard. They have the ambition to become really good, really quickly so they are moving very, very strongly.
“I think the fact that Andreas was working with Carlos for a couple of years at McLaren, they know each other very well and had a really very successful time there. I think Andrea is one of the guys who really appreciates Carlos more and the quality he’s able to do with the speed and the feedback, so I think he knows him very well.
“First of all I think it’s really good that Audi definitely made the step [into Formula 1] and I think it’s going to be a good place in the future that’s for sure.”
Despite initial contact having been made, Sainz is seemingly keen to remain at Ferrari beyond his current contract, which expires at the end of 2024.
Talks between Ferrari and Sainz’s team are yet to get underway, although the 28-year-old is wanting to know what he’s doing in 2025 before next season gets underway.
Sainz doesn’t want to enter 2024 with the pressure of it being the final year on his deal, meaning talks could take place shortly to avoid this situation.
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“I think with Carlos, he still has one year on his contract and his wish, as he has previously stated, is that he wants to know what is beyond 2024. Because he would really like to start 2024 knowing what is going to happen after,” added Sainz Snr.
“That is what really is his main priority because he doesn’t want to start the year without knowing what is going to happen.
“That’s why I think at the moment, Fred [Vasseur] was also very clear with everybody that, we should wait and watch the second part of the championship.
“[Wait until] let’s say the last months of this year to try to know what is going to happen there. So we will wait and see.”