'Verstappen not going to Mercedes: Wolff opts for Sainz in 2025'

Carlos Sainz will drive for Mercedes in 2024, according to Italy's La Gazzetta dello Sport. This would then be a direct swap between Lewis Hamilton and Sainz.

According to the pink sports newspaper, it is Sainz who will race for Mercedes in 2025. Max Verstappen seemed to be at the top of Toto Wolff's list for a long time, but according to the Italian medium, Wolff has realised that he cannot get Verstappen. Therefore, he has switched to Sainz in order to have a competitive line-up with George Russell and Sainz in 2025.

Could Sainz make the switch to Mercedes?

It would mean that Andrea Kimi Antonelli will have to wait a little longer for his chance at Mercedes. Wolff may be looking for another place within F1 for the young Italian. Williams seems the most logical option in this regard, with good friend James Vowles as team boss and Logan Sargeant not performing at his best.

Yet the Italian newspaper's story contradicts Toto Wolff's words. Indeed, the latter himself has stated that Verstappen is at the top of his list and that he is in no hurry to make the decision. It, therefore, seems more plausible that Wolff is waiting to see how the situation develops at Red Bull Racing before making a choice for Sainz.

Sainz himself is under pressure to make a choice, though. The Spaniard reportedly has an offer in his pocket from Audi to drive for that team in 2025, then still under Stake's name. However, it would be a big step backwards for the driver who managed to win races in Australia and last year in Singapore.