Lingering Sainz holds F1 driver market hostage: Will he soon be his own victim?

When Lewis Hamilton announced on 1 February that he was switching to Ferrari for the 2025 season, it did not take long for Audi to get on the phone to Carlos Sainz's manager. A palatial contract for the Spanish driver from what is now Ferrari was waiting for him at the German manufacturer - that will make their entrance into Formula 1 in '26. But instead of accepting the offer, Sainz decided to wait. To wait a very long time. Indeed, he is still waiting.