The year 2024 for Carlos Sainz was primarily marked by his departure from Ferrari. The Spaniard had to make way at the Italian racing team for Lewis Hamilton, and even his impressive victories in Australia and Mexico couldn’t change that. In Melbourne, Sainz claimed victory just two weeks after undergoing emergency surgery for appendicitis. As can be seen above, the Spanish driver himself was also immensely proud of this remarkable Australian win.
The Year of Carlos Sainz in Review:
The year started with a significant shock for Carlos Sainz: in February, Ferrari announced that the Spaniard would be replaced by Lewis Hamilton in 2025. Sainz immediately took sporting revenge by securing the first podium of the year for Scuderia. During the opening race in Bahrain, he finished third, behind Max Verstappen and Sergio Pérez.
On Friday in Jeddah, the paddock was startled by news from the Ferrari camp. Carlos Sainz had to be rushed to the hospital due to appendicitis. The driver had to undergo emergency surgery and was therefore unable to race for the rest of the weekend in Saudi Arabia. Reserve driver Oliver Bearman stepped into the SF-24 and immediately scored points.
Less than three weeks later, Sainz claimed the most beautiful, and certainly the most impressive, victory of his career. In Melbourne, still recovering from his appendectomy, the Spaniard drove to victory. “It was a very good race. I felt very good, although I am a bit stiff,” Sainz responded after his heroic journey.
The celebration was complete for Ferrari in Australia, as Charles Leclerc secured the second place. Sainz crossed the finish line a good two seconds ahead of his Monégasque teammate, who will remain with Ferrari next year (Motorsport Images).In Japan, following Max Verstappen‘s retirement in Melbourne, it was back to business as usual, with Sainz once again finishing on the podium behind the two Red Bull drivers. The Spaniard ended up on the podium nine times in total in 2024 (Motorsport Images).
However, it wasn’t all highlights for Sainz. During the Canadian Grand Prix, the Spaniard retired for the first time. In lap 52 of the race, he hit a wet kerbstone and spun out. Sainz then collided with Alexander Albon, ending the Grand Prix for both of them, and his Ferrari suffered damage that led to his retirement (Motorsport Images).
The Azerbaijan Grand Prix was also one to forget for Sainz. In the closing stages of the race, Sergio Pérez attempted to overtake the Spaniard, but the two collided. The drivers then ended up together in the wall. “What happened?” was the first thing a confused Sainz asked over the team radio (Motorsport Images).
In Mexico City, Sainz claimed his second, and so far last for Ferrari, victory of 2024. The Spaniard started from pole position, and only briefly lost the lead to Max Verstappen in the early stages. However, in lap nine, the driver overtook his Red Bull rival once again.
He then drove to victory. McLaren’s Lando Norris came in second, and Sainz decided to briefly interrupt the celebration of his former teammate after the race.
It takes some getting used to: Carlos Sainz in blue instead of Ferrari red. The Madrid-born driver raced his last race as a Scuderia driver in Abu Dhabi, and was allowed to take a seat in the Williams immediately after the weekend for the post-season test days. Next year, we will see how Sainz fares with his new employer.
