'It’s time to speed up' - Ferrari's Carlos Sainz aims to hasten talks with F1 teams for a seat next season

Carlos Sainz, of Ferrari, stated that he is in talks with several F1 teams to get a seat next season and hoped to resolve his future sooner than later. It is to be noted that Sainz is without a job so far as he will be replaced by seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton at the end of this season. Ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix, the 29-year-oldstated that he was talking to various teams "because that’s what my management team and myself should do when I don’t have a job for next year yet." Sainz is heading into the Japanese GP on the back of a spirited win, on return from appendix surgery, during the Australian Grand Prix last month.

Talking to the reporters in Suzuka, Japan, Sainz said, "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. 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."

It will be interesting to see who acquiresSainz's services going forward, with a potential vacancy at champions Red Bull alongside triple champion Max Verstappen, whereas Mercedes is also eyeing a replacement for Hamilton. Audi, who will completely take over the Sauber F1 team by2026, isanother possibility.

Following his stunning win in Melbourne, Sainz also affirmed that he is fully fit and raring to go. "I’ve been riding my bike this week, stayed in Australia for a week and started going back to the gym." He further opined, "I'm still obviously not lifting heavy numbers like I used to do in the past, but at least I can get my training done and feeling back to 100%."

In addition, Sainz admitted that the Suzukacircuit could be a challenging track for Ferrari for the upcoming GP.The Italian team had an ordinary showing there last year when the race was held in September 2023.

He added, "It’s time to see ... if we can be at least closer and enjoy a bit more this amazing track than what we enjoyed last year, because for me it’s one of my favourite ones, if not my favourite."

The Japanese GP will be held on April 7.