'Sainz and Mercedes experience a stumbling block in drafting a contract

Last week, La Gazzetta dello Sport revealed that Carlos Sainz will drive for Mercedes next season. According to the Italian medium, this was already a certainty. Another Italian medium now reports that no agreement has yet been found for the Spaniard's contract.

Carlos Sainz will have to make way for Lewis Hamilton at the end of this season. The Spaniard must, therefore, look for a new seat. One of his options is a move to Mercedes, or Red Bull. Those are the two top seats left available.

Sainz and Mercedes not yet on the same page

Italian Formula Uno Analisi Tecnica reports that the Spaniard's contract has not been signed. This is because the two parties have not yet been able to agree on the length of the contract. Sainz wants a deal of at least two seasons, with the possibility of another year's extension. Mercedes would reportedly only like to offer him a one-year contract with the option to add another year.

Mercedes would like to offer Sainz a one-year contract so that the team can retain the option to sign Andrea Kimi Antonelli when he is ready for Formula 1. Sainz's demand for a multi-year contract is notable given that the Spaniard has also been linked with Audi from 2026.