Albers is sure: 'Verstappen also dreams of Ferrari'

Leaving Max Verstappen's complicated situation aside for a moment, Carlos Sainz is the only one of the current top drivers whose future is uncertain. The Spaniard will lose his seat to Lewis Hamilton after this season at Ferrari, and is said to be on the radar of Red Bull Racing and Mercedes. Christijan Albers understands that these top teams are taking a wait-and-see attitude towards Sainz for the time being.

It is no secret that Audi would like to contract Sainz. But the Spaniard realises that with that team, a time on the fringes probably awaits him. With Red Bull and perhaps Mercedes, he would be more likely to win races. But those very teams - although considering Sainz - are, for the time being, refusing to bring in the Ferrari driver.

"There is little chance at Red Bull," said Albers, who doubts that a renewed collaboration with Verstappen makes sense. "They started together at Toro Rosso. That didn't go very smoothly. With all due respect, you don't want the old Sainz (Carlos Sainz Sr., ed.) running around at Red Bull."

'Every driver dreams of Ferrari'

So, according to Albers, it is very possible that Sainz's next employer will always be less than the current Ferrari: "He has a super seat at Ferrari. That's the team every driver dreams of. Also Max, despite saying he is happy with RB. But Ferrari is something historic. That is something mega," believes Albers, who finally sees Mercedes as an alternative to Audi for Sainz. But that team in particular needs a real top driver after Hamilton. Sainz is not that, according to the Dutchman.

"Then you end up in the situation that you have to create a new topper, and then you automatically end up with Antonelli. Or a Bearman, or a Lawson, who you have to buy away from Red Bull. You have to look at situations like that, to see what the best options are for the team to rebuild. everyone started with a newcomer at some point. McLaren also put Hamilton in that car and it became world champion," Albers concluded.