Does Lance Stroll have a lifetime contract at Aston Martin? This question might have crossed the mind of every Formula 1 fan at least once by now. And that’s the question we’re left to grapple with as Fernando Alonso extends his future with the Silverstone-based team in a new multi-year deal. With both the seats now locked in at Aston Martin, we have to wonder if Lance Stroll will ever make way for a different driver on the team. And that’s exactly what Damon Hill did as well.

Fernando Alonso’s new deal, which will last at least till the end of 2026, has given us some clues as to what might or might not happen next in the 2024 ‘silly season’ driver market. The rumors of Alonso going to Red Bull or Mercedes have finally been put to bed. However, with Lance Stroll occupying the second Aston Martin seat indefinitely, we also know that the drivers who were eyeing the green outfit for 2025 have now got no chance. One of the biggest contenders for an Aston Martin seat was Carlos Sainz.

Sainz was let go by Ferrari for 2025 in favor of 7-time champion Lewis Hamilton. And in the hope of seeing a fully Spanish driver line up, Damon Hill, the 1996 world champion, asked Aston Martin Ambassador Pedro de la Rosa on the ‘F1: Beyond The Grid’ podcast, if Lance Stroll has any plans of leaving Formula 1 anytime soon. Discussing the future of Sainz, Damon Hill said, “If Lance decides to go play tennis or something, you know, two Spanish drivers will be a very strong team at Aston Martin.”

“Why should Lance not continue, Damon?” asked Pedro. “I mean, there’s every reason to continue in the team with all the projects, and that’s the reason Fernando decided to stay. So, he’s had two incredible races in Jeddah and Australia, where there was some part of the race that he was faster than Fernando. In fact, he finished in Australia in front of him. 

He continued, “So, I mean come on, why would you want to not continue racing if you can see what’s going on behind the scenes in the factory with the new wind tunnel with people joining the team which is generating here an incredible for the future.”

With one option in a top team gone from Carlos Sainz, what choices does he have remaining for his 2025 seat?

Formula 1 insider predicts two possible options for Carlos Sainz

The news of Alonso’s contract extension got everyone in the F1 community talking. With the driver market puzzle starting to fall into place, all eyes are on Carlos Sainz. During the Japanese Grand Prix weekend, the Spaniard mentioned that he would accelerate the talks with other teams about his future. However, there is not much left for Carlos to go around. Mercedes probably doesn’t want anyone for more than a year in Lewis Hamilton’s seat even if they need anyone. Toto Wolff wants to get Kimi Antonelli in that seat, and it would happen in 2026 if not next year.

The only other top team left is Red Bull, with Sergio Perez going out of contract this season. Looking at Carlos Sainz’s options, Lawrence Barretto took to his X (formerly Twitter) account to share his thoughts. He wrote, “Alonso committing to Aston Martin shuts one door for @Carlossainz55. Sources say that leaves Williams and Sauber as the two most likely landing spots for him. Unless Red Bull decides they do want to partner him with Max again.“

The time is ticking away for the Spanish driver to secure his future in Formula 1. Will others force his hands to join Sauber to become an Audi driver in 2026? What are your thoughts on the matter?