McLaren will wait for him to make a decision but they need a back stop if Alonso leaves, which is where Sainz comes in.
Alonso is close to Sainz and his father, the rally legend of the same name, and is said to be involved in the negotiations. If Alonso stays, McLaren could well have an all-Spanish line-up. If Alonso leaves, it is unclear who would get the second seat.
Stoffel Vandoorne’s future is looking shaky and the team seem to be cooling a little on promoting their promising reserve driver Lando Norris from Formula Two so quickly – he is only 18. McLaren are also looking for a technical director.
Ocon is likely to be replaced at Force India by Lance Stroll, who is looking for a way out of Williams – and the team don’t seem that keen to fight to keep him.
Funding from the Canadian’s billionaire father Lawrence would come in handy for Force India, whose owner Vijay Mallya is in financial and legal difficulties rooted in an attempt by the Indian government to force his extradition from the UK to face charges of defrauding banks.
Mexican Sergio Perez is believed to have a contract to stay at the team that has been his home since 2013.
If Raikkonen leaves Ferrari, Sauber’s team boss Frederic Vasseur has said they are open to him returning to the team that gave him his F1 debut back in 2001. But as a Ferrari B team, Italian Antonio Giovinazzi, Maranello’s third driver, is also a contender.
At Haas, Kevin Magnussen seems set to stay, while Romain Grosjean is on very rocky ground after his error-strewn season, but may yet be saved depending on whether the team have any better options.
At Toro Rosso, Red Bull’s junior team, Brendon Hartley looks likely to be moved out. Pierre Gasly is expected to stay and among potential partners are said to be Norris, if McLaren could be persuaded to do a deal that ensured they kept hold of him, and Red Bull junior Dan Ticktum, if he can earn enough F1 licence points over the remainder of this year.