Carlos Sainz is a "no-brainer" option for top Formula 1 teams considering their options for the 2025 season, says Martin Brundle.
The Spaniard holds the key to the F1 driver market after Ferrari decided against renewing his contract. That call was made before the season even began, as the Italians moved quickly to snap up Lewis Hamilton when the Briton became available.
In response, Sainz has begun the campaign with the best form of his career. He still has a perfect podium record, having won one of his three races and finished in the top three in the other two. That's despite missing the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix for surgery to remove his inflamed appendix.
Mercedes need a replacement for Hamilton but are not the only ones considering their options. Red Bull could choose to replace Sergio Perez for next year, while Aston Martin have to consider the possibility of life after Fernando Alonso. Also in the mix are Audi, who are still trying to convince Sainz to join their new F1 project.
It means the Spaniard has plenty of potential options for when he leaves Ferrari. And Sky Sports F1 pundit Brundle thinks the 29-year-old should be at the top of the list for all the above teams.
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"Will Perez keep the Red Bull seat? That's the key, that's the cork in the bottle," said Brundle. "Where does that leave Sainz? Because putting Sainz in the Red Bull would be a no-brainer for me or an Aston Martin or a Mercedes-Benz for that matter. He's now got the experience, got the speed, he's still got youth on his side to an extent."
It is a situation which Sainz would like to be resolved quickly. He wants to capitalise on his form while his stock is high and, speaking after he finished third in Sunday's Japanese Grand Prix, the Ferrari racer expressed his desire to get serious about negotiations.
He said: "I'm talking to a few [teams] because that's what my management team and myself should do when I don't have a job for next year yet. So, we're talking to pretty much all of them. It's just a matter of obviously going more into detail and seeing the more realistic options and what are the best options for me and for my future.
"I don't have any news for you or nothing to say here. The only thing I would say is that, obviously it's time now to speed up a bit everything and hopefully we can get it sorted sooner rather than later.
"I have no clue where I will be next year. It's true we're talking to many teams. I just need to keep focused on what I'm doing, prove to myself and everyone that when I'm given a fast car, I maximise what I'm given and I deliver... It also depends on other teams, what they choose to go for. They know I'm available, so let's see what happens."
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