Carlos Sainz harbors no resentment about having to give up his Ferrari seat to Lewis Hamilton. The Spaniard is set to leave for the midfield team, Williams, at the end of the current season. Sainz believes he would have stayed with Scuderia if Hamilton had chosen to end his career at Mercedes.
Sainz has been driving for Scuderia since 2021, but will make way for Lewis Hamilton at the end of the current season. Despite his desire to stay with Ferrari for longer, he holds no grudges against the Italian team. “I have nothing bad to say about Ferrari,” Sainz tells Spanish AS. “I don’t think they have any bad words for me either. The relationship didn’t break down because we’re unhappy with each other, but due to circumstances.”
Would Ferrari have chosen Sainz if Hamilton had stayed with Mercedes? The Spaniard thinks so. “I’m convinced that if Hamilton hadn’t wanted to end his career at Ferrari, I would have extended my contract.” The Spanish driver, however, understands why Scuderia seized the opportunity to work with Hamilton. “You can’t say no to a seven-time world champion.”
Returning to a Midfield Team
Sainz has already found a new team for the 2025 season. The Madrid-born driver will be the new teammate of Alexander Albon at Williams. The British team, however, often fights for the last World Championship point rather than a podium position, which will be an adjustment for Sainz after his time at Ferrari and McLaren.
“It’s something I have to adapt to. But it’s a position I’ve been in for seven out of the ten years of my racing career, fighting for points and not winning,” explains Sainz. “That’s the life of an F1 driver. Nothing guarantees you can fight for the win, so you have to enjoy the opportunities.”
