Former F1 driver Anthony Davidson believes Carlos Sainz will lead Audi's F1 project in 2026 after losing his Ferrari seat to Lewis Hamilton.
Hamilton announced earlier this month that he would leave Mercedes at the end of 2024 to partner Charles Leclerc at Ferrari, leaving Sainz without a seat.
Sainz's reputation has grown immeasurably since he was signed to replace four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel in 2021, and he took his first F1 win at Silverstone British Grand Prix in 2022.
Carlos Sainz 'great' option for Audi F1
The Spaniard followed that up by becoming the only non-Red Bull driver to win the 2023 race, winning from pole position in Singapore.
Sainz has been heavily involved with Audi, which is set to take over the existing Sauber team when F1's new regulations come into force in 2026, over the past 12 months.
And last month, after winning the legendary Dakar Rally in Audi colors, and before the public knew of Sainz's departure from Ferrari, Sainz's father Carlos Sr. spoke with his son about his thoughts on a move to the Swiss-based team. He admitted that he had exchanged it.
Recommended by PlanetF1.com
Up close and personal: Final impressions of the 2024 F1 cars at Bahrain test
F1 2024 Pre-season Test: All important stats and facts from Bahrain
During F1 coverage of pre-season testing in Bahrain, former BAR Honda and Super Aguri star Davidson insisted Audi was the perfect destination for Sainz.
He said: “Ferrari is [only] Last year, a team other than Red Bull won the race, and Carlos was the driver who made that happen.
“Carlos is a real professional. I see him that way. He's always there, a solid driver. I think he's very good, even in complicated conditions.
“He's got a very smart head, and he showed that very well in Singapore last year, playing the old DRS game with his good old buddy Lando Norris in the background, basically defending himself in DRS. took advantage of him.
“How smart is that? I mean, he's a very smart driver.
“I think there are a lot of fans who are disappointed to see him go, but when Lewis Hamilton comes knocking on the door, you can't help but open the door.”
Commenting on the rumors linking Sainz to Audi, he said:
“For an experienced pro racer like him to end up, I think it's a very good place to develop a new team.
“Obviously it's still Sauber, but there will also be new people within that team who want to make their mark in F1 and he would be a great driver to help guide and evaluate that desire.” Some are too optimistic.
“I think he's a great driver. You see that at Ferrari. Sometimes when the strategy wavers a little bit and goes a little off the piste, he's always there to get the strategy back on the reins and keep people on the ground. I'll keep it on.
“I see him as a driver who speaks with such spunk, authority. If he shows up at Audi, it will help a lot and I wouldn't be surprised in the slightest.”
Davidson added that a move to Sauber would reunite Sainz with former McLaren team principal Andreas Seidl, whom he worked under for two seasons in 2019/20 before joining Ferrari. There is a collaborative relationship there. ”
Read next: 2024 F1 test conclusion: Red Bull's RB20 checkmate, drain cover drama and more