Carlos Sainz has candidly discussed the unexpected turn in his career following the shocking news that Lewis Hamilton will replace him at Ferrari in 2025. The Spaniard, who was preparing for his fourth season with Ferrari, had to abruptly shift gears when it became clear that his future with the team was over.
A Winter Filled with Uncertainty
“I was 99% sure I would stay with Ferrari,” Sainz shared on the Beyond The Grid podcast. “That made the message all the more painful. It was a massive blow, and I was not prepared for this kind of news. It felt like it turned my entire winter upside down.” The period following the announcement was tough for Sainz, who had to divide his focus between racing and discussions with other teams. Despite the uncertainty, he remained fully committed. “I just trained and prepared myself as if I could win races and a championship,” he explained. “But it was not an easy situation. It was mentally challenging to live with that uncertainty.”
An emotional moment followed during the Australian Grand Prix, where he made it to the podium. “My family and loved ones were there, and they all knew what I had been through,” he recalled. “It was a difficult moment in my career, but at the same time, I felt enormously supported by the people around me. That gave me the strength to continue.”
Potential Return to Ferrari in the Future?
Although his time at Ferrari ended abruptly, Carlos Sainz Jr. does not rule out a future return to the Maranello team. “Why not? You never know what the future holds,” he says. “I am now 30 years old and look at drivers who are still active at 42. If I stay in Formula 1 for that long, who knows what can happen. But for now, I am fully focused on my new challenge at Williams.”
With this new challenge, Sainz seems stronger than ever. The blow of his Ferrari exit did not break him, but rather helped him grow as a driver and as a person. “It was a hard lesson, but I have only become better from it.”
