Carlos Sainz has been one of the most consistent drivers in the 2024 F1 season, but he still remains jobless for the next year.
Only a few months ago, the Spaniard was hit by news that decided his future, as Ferrari signed a different driver to drive alongside Charles Leclerc. With Lewis Hamilton's signature, Sainz's future was also decided, and he now has to look for options.
Although without a team for 2025, and as he likes to joke, jobless, the 29-year-old has been doing a tremendous job in proving his qualities to every team, as he finished on the podium in every race that he entered in 2024.
That's a total of three Grands Prix, as the Spanish driver was forced to miss the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix because of surgery. However, in the next race, he jumped into the car and once again solidified his spot as the only driver who managed to beat Max Verstappen in the last 22 races.
According to Essentially Sports, former F1 driver and World Champion, Damon Hill, said it would be a "tragedy" if the Spaniard doesn't have a seat the next season, as he's shown his incredible qualities.
"I think it would be an absolute tragedy if Carlos Sainz doesn’t find a top seat next year. He deserves to be in a top team. Look at his drive today."
Assessing his chances for a future seat in one of the current top-runners, the 1996 F1 World Champion sees Mercedes as the only option, as he suggested that the move to Red Bull could be blocked by Max Verstappen's family.
Over the years, the Dutch driver managed to build a solid legacy in the Austrian team, and Hill thinks that "the team is run" by his family, making it impossible for Sainz to join and challenge the three-time World Champion.
"Mercedes is the only option. Red Bull won’t work with Max. The team is run by the Verstappen family."