F1 News: Schumacher tells Sainz Jr. to reject Williams contract

(GMM) Ralf Schumacher is urging Carlos Sainz Jr. against signing up with his former Formula 1 team, so his nephew Mick has a shot at the ride.

Over the weekend, it was reported that Ferrari refugee Sainz is now close to signing for Williams – perhaps just for one guaranteed year so that he might be available for Red Bull or Mercedes a season later.

Schumacher won all six of his grands prix for Williams, but he hopes the news isn’t true.

“I strongly advise him against it,” the 48-year-old German told formel1.de.

“I would go for a team that is 100 percent for me,” Schumacher added. “And currently that team (Williams) is at a dead end.

“So far they’ve really disappointed me. I think that in the long term, he would have the better chance at Audi because of his father’s connections to the company.”

It is believed Mercedes told Sainz, 29, that he will not be offered a 2025 contract. But Schumacher says it’s clear the Spaniard was only ever a second or third choice as “they could have already asked him to sign a contract”.

Meanwhile, Sergio Perez definitely looks set to remain at Red Bull at least in 2025.

“We can’t forget that as long as Max Verstappen is there, the budget is relatively tight at Red Bull – and Perez brings in money,” Schumacher said.