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F1 fans were left reeling after Red Bull team advisor Helmut Marko claimed that the Austrian team is in contract with Carlos Sainz but refused to match the 'lucrative' offer of Audi.
The Spanish driver is one of the hottest names on the grid right now after Ferrari decided to let him go at the end of the 2024 season in place of Lewis Hamilton. Sainz, owing to his excellent start to 2024, has grabbed the eyeballs of several teams like Red Bull, Mercedes and Audi.
However, speaking with the regional Austrian newspaper Kleine Zeitung, Marko claimed that it would be difficult for them to match Audi's big-money offer for Carlos Sainz. He said:
"We are talking to him, he is having his best season in Formula 1, but he has a very lucrative offer from Audi and we cannot match or beat that. We remember him from his time at Toro Rosso when he drove alongside Max. However, it hurt him a lot that at Red Bull, we chose Verstappen and not him.”
F1 fans took to social media to give their reactions to the Red Bull advisor's comments:
"I would drink Red bull 24/7 to fund his seat if needed," said one fan.
"Would love to see him at Red Bull even if just for a couple of years before he joins Audi. Too risky to join them right off the rip sure," wrote another.
"You’re telling me there was a possibility of (VER/SAI) vs (HAM/LEC) and was turned down because of Audi??? Hating that team already, mulled another fan.
Here are some more reactions:
Carlos Sainz provides an update about his future in F1
Carlos Sainz has stated that he is in constant contact with all the teams on the grid but the decision to choose one would take some time.
Speaking with the media, including Sportskeeda, ahead of the Chinese GP, the Ferrari driver said:
"When I said we have been talking to every team, we have been talking to every team. That's what I meant with the good options in terms of a race-winning [team].
"It all depends on the compromises or the offers and what everyone offers. There are very good options out there, which makes me still smile and be positive about my future."
It would be fascinating to see where Carlos Sainz ends up for the 2025 season.
