Carlos Sainz has hit out at the media following claims that his joining Audi when it joins the grid in 2026.

Not for the first time this week, the media finds itself in the firing line, as days after it was revealed that a magazine is to be sued by Michael Schumacher's family over a fake AI 'interview', Carlos Sainz has rubbished claims that he is joining Audi.

Swiss publication Blick claims that the Spaniard, now in his third season with Ferrari, is top of Andreas Seidl's 'wish list'.

Yet to even test its engine - which is scheduled to happen later this year - it is claimed that the German manufacturer is also targeting Mick Schumacher.

"My intention is to stay at Ferrari for many years," said Sainz at a sponsor event. "I do not understand how you can talk about what could happen in 2026 when I still don’t have a contract for 2025.

"It angers me when invented and uncorroborated rumours like this come out," he added.

The claim comes at a time sections of the media claim that Charles Leclerc is looking elsewhere following a poor start to the season, and others reports that Lewis Hamilton and Lando Norris are both considering a move to Maranello.

Asked about the current situation at Ferrari, the team struggling with a car that has remarkable single-lap pace in qualifying but eats through its tyres come Sunday, Sainz said: "All of us at Ferrari expected a lot more after fighting for pole positions and victories last season. I think we went into every race with that intention.

"We have been surprised by how fast Red Bull is and how much other teams like Aston Martin have improved," he admitted. "It is true that with Red Bull’s lead at the moment, if we want to be in the fight for the win, maybe at some races something could happen to the Red Bulls and Aston Martin, and we could sneak into the lead.

"But at the moment we’re going to need their help and we’ll have to focus on what we have. If we had not had the penalty in Australia, we’d have another 12 points by now that are gone, but it is what it is."

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by ClarkwasGod, 24/04/2023 19:14

"@ Max - they rang me too - but I had to point out that they should have called me BEFORE Tazio and Bernd if they had wanted me on their roster then. I wasn't interested in being a 3rd choice then, and certainly not now!!! ;-)"

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2. Posted by Motorsport-fan, 24/04/2023 13:36

"@ Max Noble

Still waiting for my phone to ring!"

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3. Posted by Hobgoblin, 24/04/2023 12:34

"@kenji: Swiss publication Blick claims that the Spaniard, now in his third season with Ferrari, is top of Andreas Seidl's 'wish list'.

SWISS"

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4. Posted by TokyoAussie, 24/04/2023 4:09

"God, I hope Rupert is not involved. He turns everything to s**t, and does so on purpose."

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5. Posted by kenji, 23/04/2023 2:12

"The whole new PU exercise does need some in depth explanations so that followers can appreciate what's about to occur. Audi were always going to be ahead of the curve given the lead times imposed. For example the exclusion of the MGH, which is reported as costing the earth and a few other small planetary systems, and the reduction in cost cap as a result. Will the maximum PU costs schedule still apply? Are there any allowances in the budgets for team expenses to be adjusted as a result of the new PU's integration? As for drivers...well owing to the limited supply having a valid F1 license the options are most interesting. "

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6. Posted by Max Noble, 22/04/2023 16:06

"Audi approached me for a drive, but I asked “Who would feed the cats?” So it all ended right there. I think they also rang my mum, and the young guy across the road with a Toyota Type 86…"

Sainz hits out at "invented" media speculation

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