Ralf Schumacher urges Wolff to check Sainz contract

Ralf Schumacher has openly sent a connection to Toto Wolff to reappraisal Carlos Sainz's contract, peculiarly definite clauses, aft Kimi Antonelli had what Wolff himself called a "disappointing" show astatine the Italian Grand Prix.

Antonelli debuted this play successful Formula 1 arsenic a large talent, heralded arsenic a "miracle" akin to Max Verstappen. His commencement looked similar a fairy communicative - 3 consecutive apical six finishes - but the beginner's luck rapidly disappeared. In the adjacent 13 races, helium collected lone 36 points, mostly acknowledgment to the podium successful Canada.

After Monza, Wolff publically criticized his young operator for the archetypal time: "He can't enactment the car successful the gravel and expect it to beryllium there. The full contention was disappointing." He added that helium inactive believes successful Antonelli's potential, but intelligibly emphasized that the show successful Italy was "disappointing".

Contract and options for Mercedes

Although Wolff reiterates that Antonelli and George Russell bask his confidence, the 2026 declaration has inactive not been officially confirmed. The Austrian claims that it is "only a formality" and that helium is not readying "big announcements". However, portion determination is nary signature, the questions astir the aboriginal of the Mercedes line-up bash not subside.

Schumacher believes that Wolff indispensable see alternatives and crook to the Williams driver. 

"I deliberation Carlos Sainz would beryllium disposable astatine immoderate time," said the erstwhile F1 driver.

Why Sainz? In his archetypal play with Williams, helium had hard moments, but helium remains a proven victor and a operator who already knows the Mercedes powerfulness unit. According to rumors, determination is simply a "clause" successful his declaration that allows him to permission if 1 of the apical teams comes calling.

"The newcomers astatine Mercedes are good astatine this stage, but determination are nary large names connected the marketplace astatine the moment. Wolff evidently doesn't number connected Bottas, different helium would person kept him. That's wherefore the concern is complicated. I deliberation Carlos Sainz would beryllium a logical choice. There are immoderate clauses, oregon truthful it is said, and helium would surely beryllium the archetypal sanction that comes to mind," said Schumacher connected the Formel 1 YouTube channel.

Mercedes indispensable present decide: support the young Antonelli, who has yet to beryllium helium is acceptable for the top, oregon crook to a proven operator similar Sainz. Schumacher intelligibly suggests that the solution is already successful beforehand of Wolff.