Imagine you’re a frontrunning F1 driver. You’re racing for Ferrari, you’re the only driver other than Max Verstappen to have won a grand prix in the past 18 months and you’re in the form of your life. Yet somehow, you don’t have a seat for 2025. And there’s every chance you’ll have to drop down the grid next year. That’s all because Ferrari has made the completely understandable decision to sign Lewis Hamilton, a shock move that is the primary reason for Carlos Sainz being in this absurd situation. But it’s not the only bizarre factor. It’s almost inconceivable that the 29-year-old wouldn’t have a place on the grid next year, although it is possible. But the big question is whether the place he is likely to get is in keeping with the status and performance level of a driver who you would expect to be a dead cert for a top drive. 00:00 Intro 02:04 Red Bull long shot 03:34 Antonelli back-up at Mercedes 04:56 Audi inevitable? 06:00 Wildcards 06:45 A key decision 08:16 Form of his