Carlos Sainz has reportedly overtaken Mick Schumacher as Audi's preferred option to join their Formula 1 outfit.
According to Swiss publication Blick, Audi's newest driver target is the current Ferrari racer whose contract expires at the end of the 2024 season. It had previously been believed that Schumacher's nationality and surname made him the most attractive option for the German carmaker.
Audi are in the process of building their F1 project from the ground up. It has already increased its stake in the Sauber team, currently racing under Alfa Romeo branding, and will fully take over in 2026 when new engine regulations come into force.
The current Sauber team line-up at Alfa Romeo consists of Zhou Guanyu and Valtteri Bottas, who is also on Audi's radar. Experienced F1 journalist Roger Benoit writes: "If you want to fight for victories no later than three years after promotion, you have to look around a good 60 races before entering this small pool of stars.
"The first serious rumour has now emerged from Spain – Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz. Next to [Charles] Leclerc [he is] probably without great chances of winning the title. He is said to be at the top of the list for Sauber CEO [Andreas] Seidl. The German media continue to call for Mick Schumacher as a pilot in the Audi-Sauber."
Audi CEO Markus Duesmann recently said of the driver search process: "We are currently talking to many decision-makers, drivers, and team managers. There have been no concrete discussions with Mick Schumacher regarding a commitment."
He also added: "Of course, German drivers interest us as much as they interest the top of the parent company, but that is not a requirement for us." Overall, Duesmann was cautious not to commit to any options – or rule any out.
Seidl moved from McLaren in 2022 to the Sauber team as chief executive to oversee the transition to Audi. The Spaniard worked alongside the German between 2019 and 2020 whilst he raced for the Woking-based team and is believed to have a good relationship with his old boss.
Regarding Schumacher, it remains to be seen what position he will be in over the next few years. He is currently a Mercedes reserve without a race seat following his Haas axe, but will no doubt want to be back on the grid much sooner than the point at which Audi will be making their debut.
