Pierre Gasly is pulling all the stops to bring Carlos Sainz to Renault-owned Alpine. With Sainz's imminent departure from Ferrari making way for Lewis Hamilton, the quest for a new team has put Sainz at the center of the driver market. Gasly, currently 15th in the 2024 driver standings, expressed his desire for Sainz, who sits comfortably at fourth, to join forces with Alpine.
Sainz has been methodically weighing his options, understanding his pivotal role in the driver market. The Spaniard’s decision has been keenly anticipated as it could reshape team dynamics for the upcoming seasons. Alpine, known for their championship-winning history as Benetton and Renault, finds itself with a key vacancy following Esteban Ocon's announced exit at the end of the year.
Alpine's Options
While Gasly champions the idea of Sainz coming on board, Alpine has other potential candidates. Jack Doohan, currently serving as a reserve driver, stands as a viable option for promotion. Additionally, Mick Schumacher, involved with Alpine’s world endurance squad, is eying a return to the F1 scene.
"I did my fair share of the job, but ultimately I believe in the projects we're building with Alpine and I always back the team up. Now it's up to him to make his own decision," Gasly emphasized, acknowledging the multifaceted nature of the decision.
Competitor Interests
Despite the push from Alpine, they are not alone in their pursuit of Sainz. Sauber and Williams have also shown keen interest. Williams is currently languishing in ninth place out of ten in the constructors cup, while Sauber, set to rebrand as Audi in 2026, is positioned last. Alpine is only slightly better, holding the eighth spot.
Sainz’s Perspective
Sainz, taking his time to make an informed decision, humorously remarked on his distraction, watching Spain clinch the European Championship in football. "It's only the timing that I'm changing, I'm not changing the outcome of anyone as probably all teams by now have their priorities and their decisions depending on each scenario," Sainz commented, hinting at the pressured environment surrounding driver decisions.
Gasly remains optimistic about the future, stating, "I think Alpine, the team has good options on the table." Yet, he is pragmatic about the situation, "At the end of the day, it's not up to me. I welcome the fastest guy out there. We all know who it is. But then, yeah, I mean, at the moment, we've got to wait. But yeah, the team has three good options."
The Impending Decision
As the motorsport world waits with bated breath, Sainz’s next move is poised to send ripples through the driver market. His choice will not only influence Alpine's strategy moving forward but will also shape the competitive landscape for the forthcoming seasons. Whether it's aligning with a historically successful team like Alpine or venturing into a rebuilding phase with Sauber or Williams, Sainz's decision holds considerable weight.
For now, the speculation continues, and the paddock remains abuzz. Gasly's advocacy for Sainz underscores the importance of securing top-tier talent, a move that could potentially elevate Alpine’s standing. As teams realign and strategies unfold, the anticipation of Sainz’s next chapter remains one of the most intriguing storylines in this F1 season. The motorsport community waits, watching closely, as one decision might just change everything.