Sainz furious over speculation of his transfer in 2026, wants to stay at Maranello

Carlos Sainz is already a well-known figure in the paddock. Now the Spanish racer has once again shown his temperamental southern character. The reason for this is journalists’ speculation about his possible departure to Audi in 2026.

The German carmaker Audi will enter the queen of motorsport instead of Alfa Romeo. This is because Audi has acquired a minority stake in Sauber, which now produces formula cars for the very stable around Valtteri Bottas.

However, there are already debates about who might sit in the two monoposts in three years’ time. As well as the obvious name, Germany’s Mick Schumacher, journalists have also come up with the name of a Spanish racer. But he has vociferously objected to their behaviour.

“It annoys me when unconfirmed and fabricated speculation comes out,” said Sainz, whose words were quoted by Racingnews365. “My intention is to stay at Ferrari for a few more years,” he added.

He scored a very valuable scalp in the red monoposto in the 2021 season, his first with the Maranello-based stable, in the form of experienced teammate Charles Leclerc. Although he won his first race in the UK in his second year, he was sixty-two points behind the Monegasque.

Exactly one year ago, on 21 April 2022, Sainz extended his contract with Ferrari until 2024, but he is not yet contracted for further seasons. And this fact was another reason for the 28-year-old’s unpleasant mood.

“I don’t understand why they are talking about what could happen in 2026 when I don’t have a contract for 2025 yet,” Spanish daily Marca quoted Sainz as saying. At the current moment, however, it does not look like anyone is threatening the position of last year’s fifth-placed rider in the world championship standings.

The question remains what may be behind the surprisingly sharp responses from the Spanish rider, who has clearly beaten his teammate so far this season. And further speculation would certainly not be out of place now.

F1, Racingnews365, Marca