Carlos Sainz says he is angered by “invented” rumours of interest from Audi’s Formula 1 project.
Preparations are well underway for the German manufacturer’s F1 entry in 2026, taking over the currently Alfa Romeo-branded Sauber team.
The first 2026-spec Audi power unit is set to be tested on the dyno later this year and Sauber is on a big recruitment drive to grow their workforce, which is the second-smallest of the 10 teams after AlphaTauri.
F1 show car with Audi Launch Livery at #AutoShanghai
Development of power unit at Neuburg facility in full swing
Innovation and efficiency topics in the focus of the development team
Read more >> https://t.co/4z72ltcdVb#Audi #F1 #Formula1 #FutureIsAnAttitude #emobility pic.twitter.com/XJ438uif8z
— Audi Sport (@audisport) April 18, 2023
But given Audi’s big ambitions of battling for wins within three years, two key positions to be filled will be those in the cockpits.
Valtteri Bottas has made his desire to stay at the team clear, while names like Lando Norris and Mick Schumacher have been mentioned for the second seat.
Last week, however, Swiss publication Blick reported Sainz was at the “top of the list” of Sauber CEO Andreas Seidl’s targets.
“I don’t understand why people are talking about what could happen in 2026 when I still don’t have a contract for 2025,” the Spaniard said in response via Marca.
Also Read:
- Schumacher ‘not worried’ about F1 future as Audi reveal contact
- Ferrari rules out changing car concept direction despite Sainz plea
“It angers me when uncorroborated and invented rumours come out.”
Currently at Ferrari, Sainz is only signed to the Scuderia until the end of next season, meaning, if a move did happen, it would probably come for Sauber’s last year before becoming Audi.
However, the one-time Grand Prix winner seems to have no thoughts of leaving Maranello, at least for now…
“My intention is to stay at Ferrari for many years,” he declared.