The direction of Sainz's career once he leaves Ferrari is currently the subject of major F1 paddock interest, given he is being dropped by the Scuderia in favour of Lewis Hamilton, while also being the only non-Red Bull driver to have won races since 2022.
The F1 driver market is in rare early overdrive in 2024, with most of the grid also out of contract just as Sainz and his camp try to plot his next move.
He had become a possible 2025 candidate for the Aston Martin team before Fernando Alonso chose to re-sign with the team, while Red Bull and Mercedes also have vacancies in F1's frontrunning pack and Sainz has long been linked to Audi's nascent takeover of Sauber.
Asked ahead of the Chinese GP if he might be forced to choose racing for a team with less potential for success in 2025 if he wants his future sorted early – as has been suggested is Sainz's preference – he replied: "No. My best options are still open which I think is a positive thing and is something that quite obviously requires a bit of time, given the situation of the market.
"It's going to take some time for everyone to make up their own minds and take their decisions, but the good options are still open.
"There hasn't been any progress over the last couple of weeks, so there isn't anything to update you on.
"Obviously, the sooner it gets to a point – the sooner everything develops – the better because, at the same time, it's not like it's affecting my performance this year, but the earlier that you take it out of your head and of the situation, the better.
"But it requires time and it requires some decision-making, so now it's time to let that happen and see its progress."
Source: Autosport