Carlos Sainz’s potential move to Red Bull faces a significant hurdle with Sergio Pérez’s contract extension, which secures his position at the Milton Keynes team through the 2026 Formula 1 season. Pérez signed a new two-year deal in June 2024, confirming his partnership with Max Verstappen for the upcoming regulatory changes.
Sainz is currently driving for Williams, having joined the team on a multi-year agreement after his departure from Ferrari at the conclusion of the 2024 season. His contract with Williams extends until the end of 2026, with provisions for a potential extension into the 2027 or 2028 seasons.
A key element of Sainz’s agreement with Williams is an exit clause. This clause reportedly allows him to depart the team after the 2026 season if a ‘top’ team, such as Mercedes or Red Bull, expresses interest in his services. Williams Team Principal James Vowles has acknowledged a ‘4-year deal, and after 2026, either side can leave’.
Despite this contractual flexibility, the immediate path to Red Bull is closed for Sainz due to Pérez’s confirmed presence. Max Verstappen’s contract with Red Bull runs until 2028, although it is understood to contain performance-related clauses.
Looking ahead to the 2027 season, Red Bull Team Principal Laurent Mekies has indicated a strong likelihood of retaining Isack Hadjar. Hadjar joined the senior team this year and has demonstrated consistent performance, securing seven consecutive top-six finishes by the Hungarian Grand Prix.
Mekies stated in July 2026 that it is ‘good news that we have a strong second driver for the first time in quite a long time’. This suggests Red Bull is content with its current driver pairing for the future, potentially limiting opportunities for external drivers like Sainz.
Sainz has reportedly expressed frustration with Williams’ performance during the 2026 season, as the team has struggled for pace and has not scored points since the Monaco Grand Prix. This situation fuels speculation regarding his future beyond his current term with the Grove-based outfit.
Williams is reportedly preparing a substantial offer to retain Sainz, with a proposed contract extension valued at €30 million per year. This figure would more than double his current reported salary and aims to secure his services through 2028.
While Sainz is reportedly keen on a Red Bull seat should Verstappen unexpectedly depart, BBC analyst Andrew Benson suggests such a move is improbable. Benson believes Verstappen would likely consider Mercedes or McLaren if he were to leave Red Bull.
Other potential destinations for Sainz in the 2027 driver market include Audi, Aston Martin, and Alpine. However, Audi boss Mattia Binotto has publicly supported his current driver lineup for 2027, and Fernando Alonso’s contract situation at Aston Martin could influence available seats.
Meanwhile, Sergio Pérez’s contract with Cadillac, where he returned to Formula 1 in 2026, is now reported to expire at the end of the 2026 season, contrary to earlier expectations of a 2027 end date. His management has reportedly initiated discussions with Williams as a potential replacement for Sainz.
Pérez’s debut season with Cadillac has been challenging, marked by poor results and reliability issues, including four retirements in the last seven Grands Prix. This difficult period has led to a reassessment of his future with the American team.
