F1: Colleagues stand up for ‘unemployed’ Sainz who is aiming for a seat at another top team

Carlos Sainz won the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix last Sunday, but is still without an employer before 2025. Lando Norris and Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc stand up for the Spaniard who is eyeing a seat at another top team.

One of the big stories from the winter break was Lewis Hamilton announcing his transfer from Mercedes to Ferrari, which will happen after this season. Sainz has to make way for the seven-time world champion and is looking for a new home for next year. Christian Horner has announced that Sainz is on Red Bull’s list, where there is a question mark over Max Verstappen, while Sergio Pérez has not yet received a contract extension. The 29-year-old from Madrid is also on the list of Toto Wolff who is looking for a new teammate for George Russell. Kick Sauber, which will become Audi’s factory team in two years, and Aston Martin could also be options for Sainz.

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Sainz hopes victory will help him get a job

Sainz’s victory at the Albert Park Circuit once again shows his talent. He remains the only driver to beat the Red Bulls for wins as of the 2022 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. To make it even more impressive, Sainz won last weekend after an intensive recovery from appendicitis surgery. “I’m still unemployed for next year, so I guess this [de overwinning in Australië] it will help you get a job next year. I hope I get a seat, of course,” he laughed after the race. Sainz also received compliments from his teammate. “I think everyone in the paddock knows what Carlos is worth. He is one of the most highly rated drivers in the paddock. And he has been extremely strong every time he has been in a Formula 1 car. And he has shown that several times,” said Leclerc.

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You’re crazy if you undervalue him

Norris, who had Sainz as a teammate at McLaren in 2019 and 2020, joined Leclerc during the press conferences. “I honestly think Charles said it well. There’s no reason why anyone [Sainz] should undervalue. I think the people who know him know what he is capable of, know his level of effort, his approach and dedication to wanting to be one of the best, just like him [in de race in Melbourne] and has proven it in recent weeks. I’m sure you have plenty of drivers who probably wouldn’t have tried so hard and put so much time and effort into trying to recover and get back in the race car. And I would say that throughout the year he has proven to be a step above last year. Yes, you’re crazy if you undervalue him.”

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