Carlos Sainz parts ways with Ferrari after 200 races, ready for new challenges at Williams, yet proud of his Ferrari journey.
“200 already: Carlos Sainz contested his 200th Formula 1 Grand Prix in Singapore, one of his last with Ferrari.
The future Williams F1 driver has become one of the most experienced drivers on the grid. But does he consider himself a very experienced driver, or still young?
‘That’s a lot of races, ten years in F1,’ admits the Spaniard to AS.
‘That’s what time does. Four or five years ago, I was young, and now I find myself in an intermediate position—neither old nor young. ‘Viejoven’ (old-young). Every year, there are more rookies who remind me of myself ten years ago. Now, there are more opportunities to help younger drivers thanks to the regulations, and I’m glad Formula 1 is moving in that direction.’
As the Ferrari chapter, perhaps the brightest of his career, is about to close, Carlos Sainz says he’s proud of having contributed to the team’s recovery, even if it’s still incomplete.
‘When I arrived at Ferrari, they were coming out of one of their most difficult moments in recent years. They were very far behind in 2020, more than a second per lap off the leaders. If you look at how Ferrari was when I arrived and how it is now, I’m proud of the progress made through all the hard work to get here. There have been ups and downs in the process—the rise in performance in 2022, the dip in 2023, and the gradual recovery in 2024. These seasons allowed me to win my first F1 races, achieve my first poles, and secure many podiums. I’m happy to have joined a historic team and to have enjoyed these years as a Ferrari driver.’
What would be his best memories with the Maranello team?
‘I have very good memories of my three wins, as expected, but if I had to choose other races, I remember good comebacks at Monza or Paul Ricard (both in 2022) and the 2021 podium in Abu Dhabi. Finishing the season as strongly as I did that year with the 2021 car, which I improved a lot over the course of the season.'”
And what would his regrets be?
“I’m frustrated with the start of 2022. The rule changes affected me a lot as a driver. The cars were very different from those we had up until 2021, which we had been driving for many years. Ferrari had a great start to the season with a fast car, but it was very difficult and strange to drive. It required a particular way of handling that didn’t suit my style, and I missed out on winning opportunities because I wasn’t at 100% with the car.”
With Charles Leclerc, Carlos Sainz has had some tense moments, notably at Interlagos. Was the Monegasque the most formidable teammate of the Spaniard’s career, considering he also had Max Verstappen as a teammate at Toro Rosso?
“Charles is, if not the fastest, certainly among the fastest drivers I’ve competed against, especially in qualifying. The difference between us was very minimal from Friday to Sunday. The team tracks statistics throughout the year, and the numbers are incredibly close. We always have similar points and very close grid positions.”
“The only issues came when we would always go out on track together, one behind the other. But that’s where Ferrari’s strength lies, with a very balanced pair of drivers.”
Since the updates received at Monza, Ferrari seems to be back in the hunt for victories. Is Carlos Sainz aiming to win another Grand Prix before Abu Dhabi?
“There could be a win before the end of the year. Las Vegas is where we have a good chance to fight for a victory. That doesn’t mean we’re going to win, but we’ll be closer there than in Austin, Brazil, or Abu Dhabi.”
“That also doesn’t mean we’re going to win the world championship. The strongest car is McLaren’s; without some of the mistakes they’ve made, they would already have a significant lead in the championship. However, we’re keeping them within reach, along with Red Bull, because even though we don’t have the fastest car, we’re doing everything else well.”
Future Williams F1 driver… without regrets?
Carlos Sainz is soon set to leave Ferrari and join Grove and Williams F1.
Is he ready to race in the midfield?
“That’s something I’ll need to readjust to. But it’s a position I held for seven of my ten years in Formula 1: fighting for points without winning. That’s the life of an F1 driver. You can ask many other drivers who have been in the same situation. Nothing guarantees you’ll be fighting for wins, so you have to make the most of the opportunities you get. Not just in terms of results and enjoying victory, but also mentally, because you’re part of the top 20 drivers in the world, and one of the three or four who might win a race.”
“I want to try to do at Williams something similar to what I did at Ferrari or McLaren. I want to help the team improve. I have the experience and energy, still being young, to help them move forward. I’ve been good at that in the past, and that’s my next goal. If Williams is in the top 10, I want to make sure we’re a team regularly scoring points over the next two years. If those years go well and I see we’re heading in the right direction, I’d like to bet on that future as well.”
Will he leave Maranello on good terms with the team, despite being replaced by Lewis Hamilton?
“I won’t have any bad words to say about Ferrari. I don’t think they’ll have bad words for me either. Our relationship hasn’t broken down because we’re unhappy with each other, but due to a circumstantial issue. I’m convinced that if Hamilton hadn’t wanted to finish his career at Ferrari, I would have been renewed. But you can’t say no to a seven-time world champion, I understand that. It’s a pairing that was meant to happen, and it was just my turn.”
Will he continue to closely follow the Scuderia, even in blue overalls? Would he have regrets if Ferrari wins the title?
“A part of me will have contributed, but I won’t be following Ferrari’s year (in 2025). My mind will be focused on the present. That feeling won’t exist.”
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Sainz Leaves Ferrari: Victim of Hamilton’s Final Move Sainz Leaves Ferrari: Victim of Hamilton’s Final Move. f1 2024 Sainz Leaves Ferrari: Victim of Hamilton’s Final Move
