Carlos Sainz exits Ferrari on a high note, delivering his most consistent season with two wins and nearly ten podiums.
Carlos Sainz could feel frustrated after being sidelined by Ferrari at the end of a 2024 season that was arguably his best in Scuderia colors. Yet, the Spaniard admitted early on that he understood Frédéric Vasseur’s decision to bring Lewis Hamilton aboard for 2025.
Still, Sainz delivered a solid 2024 campaign, especially against a more assertive Charles Leclerc, who increasingly established himself as the leader within the Maranello-based team. The Spaniard, the sole non-Red Bull winner in 2023, was also the first to end the dominance of the Milton Keynes team and Max Verstappen in 2024.
In Australia, he showcased impressive pace behind Verstappen before capitalizing on the Dutchman’s troubles to take the lead and secure victory. This achievement was even more remarkable as it came just after his absence in Jeddah, where he underwent emergency surgery for appendicitis.
Already on the podium in Bahrain for the season opener, Sainz repeated the feat in Melbourne and later in Suzuka, where he finished third. He took fifth in China, Miami, and Imola before returning to the podium in Monaco, where Ferrari claimed victory.
Despite Ferrari’s technical struggles, Sainz seized the opportunity in Austria, benefiting from a collision between Verstappen and Lando Norris to secure another podium. Demonstrating remarkable consistency, he finished the next five races between fourth and sixth place.
In Azerbaijan, a circuit he openly admitted to disliking, Sainz endured a difficult weekend and managed only seventh in Singapore after a qualifying crash.
However, the tide turned during the Austin and Mexico rounds, where he placed second and then first, as Ferrari dominated both events emphatically.
Finishing on the podium in Las Vegas and second in Abu Dhabi, Sainz closed the season on a high note. Yet, that strong result was tinged with frustration as Ferrari fell short in their bid for the Constructors’ Championship.
After four years in red, Sainz bids farewell to Maranello following his most solid season, the first in which he claimed two victories. With nearly ten podiums, he displayed a consistency that many doubted he could achieve.
His memorable journey with Ferrari ended on a high note both professionally and personally. After allowing him to test with his new team during post-season sessions, Ferrari gave him a final run at Fiorano alongside his father, Carlos, in an emotional farewell moment.
In 2025, he will join Williams F1, fully aware that he won’t be competing at the front. However, he is motivated to take on a leadership role and help bring the team back to the top. The partnership with Alex Albon promises to be fascinating and a major boost for the Grove-based outfit.
Carlos Sainz – 2024 Season Statistics
| Category | Statistic |
|---|---|
| Championship Position | 5th with 290 points |
| Wins | 2 |
| Pole Positions | 1 |
| Podiums | 9 |
| Fastest Laps | 2 |
| Hat Tricks | 0 |
| Grand Slams | 0 |
| Laps Led | 134 |
| Laps Completed | 1,343 (93.01%) |
| Average Qualifying Position | 5.57 |
| Average Race Position | 4.71 |
Comparison with Charles Leclerc
| Category | Result |
|---|---|
| Races | 14-8 in favor of Leclerc |
| Qualifying | 14-9 in favor of Leclerc |
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F1 2024 Season Review – Carlos Sainz F1 2024 Season Review – Carlos Sainz
