The first Grand Prix of the 2024 season is done and dusted and Carlos Sainz drove like he has a chip on his shoulder. After being rejected by Ferrari in favor of Lewis Hamilton, the Spaniard has a point to prove. Not only to his team, that they perhaps made a bad call in dropping him, but also as an audition for other teams if he wants the best possible drive in 2024. And what better way to prove yourself than by beating your teammate fair and square? Carlos Sainz overtook Charles Leclerc in the early stages of the race and never really looked back from there. With George Russell struggling for power in his Mercedes, Sainz took the opportunity to claim the 3rd spot in the race behind the Red Bull duo and held it to claim his first podium in 2024.

The Spaniard is already seen as one of the most mature and professional racer in Formula 1 and that’s the kind of performance that will get him on the radar of the top teams. During the post-race interview, Sainz said, “I felt really good out there today, the start wasn’t ideal but I managed my tyres really well, overtook two or three cars, and keeping up with a Red Bull at the end, which was a nice surprise… We had a very clear plan, using the soft and then two hards. With the hard, in our car, we feel more comfortable because it heats less it degrades less… [Jeddah] will be a surprise for everyone to see where we are, I expect Red Bull and McLaren to be competitive there.”

READ MORE: Carlos Sainz “Will Drive for Himself” Without Listening to Any Team Orders at Ferrari

While the Spaniard has already been linked with Sauber, which will become the Audi Works team in 2026, an F1 insider advises Sainz to tread carefully.

Martin Brundle suggests Carlos Sainz should remain cautious in his quest for a race seat

Former Formula 1 driver turned Sky F1 presenter, Martin Brundle, has offered some serious advice to Carlos Sainz. Brundle cautioned him against considering a move to Audi when it takes over the Sauber Stake F1 team in 2026. Instead, Brundle suggested that Sainz should explore other options within the sport, particularly with top-tier teams like Mercedes, and Aston Martin, or even a possible return to Red Bull, if such an opportunity arises.

“He’s 29 years old, he can’t afford to go and tread water for a team that really is saying it’s 2027 before we’re ready to go properly,” Brundle told Sky F1. “I don’t think that is his next step at all… I think sometimes you know, when the pressure comes off like that, and you’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain, and I had it myself in my own career a couple, three times, you just drive more naturally, more freely, more easily.”

In short, Brundle is urging Sainz to carefully weigh his options and prioritize stability and competitiveness in his career decisions moving forward.