Carlos Sainz is preparing for a significant shift in his Formula 1 career as he bids farewell to Ferrari at the end of the 2024 season. The Spaniard will join Williams for 2025, replacing Lewis Hamilton, who is heading to Ferrari. With six races left in the season, including the highly anticipated United States Grand Prix, Sainz is determined to close his Ferrari chapter with a bang.
As the F1 driver market reshuffles, Sainz remains laser-focused on making his last outings with Ferrari count. Despite his impending move, the 29-year-old is balancing his excitement for the Williams project with his commitment to deliver podiums—and possibly wins—for Ferrari before the season ends.
“It’s Two Separate Things”
Speaking ahead of the US Grand Prix, Sainz was clear about his priorities: “For me, it’s two separate things. I’m really looking forward to next year and the challenge with Williams… but first, there’s a job to finish this year with six races left in a car that can potentially allow me to win a race or score a couple more podiums.”
Sainz is not backing down in his pursuit of strong results, confident in Ferrari’s current form. The Scuderia has shown flashes of competitiveness throughout the season, and Sainz is eager to make the most of any opportunities that arise in the final stretch.
Fighting for Ferrari’s Future and His Own
Sainz’s drive is two-fold. Not only does he want to finish his Ferrari tenure on a high, but he also aims to propel the team forward in the Constructors’ Championship. “I want to maximize this opportunity to see if I can help the team finish as far ahead as possible… and give myself that big present of a nice podium or a win,” he said.
While Sainz’s move to Williams represents a fresh challenge, the Spaniard doesn’t see his Ferrari stint as his last shot at glory. “Nothing would make me happier than achieving something like that before the end of the year… but if it doesn’t come, I don’t believe it will be my last chance of fighting for wins or podiums.”
Williams: The New Chapter
Sainz’s decision to join Williams was not just about performance gains but also about the team’s long-term vision. Having spoken extensively with Williams team principal James Vowles, Sainz is confident in the upward trajectory of the British outfit, which has shown impressive improvement in recent races.
“During those conversations with James, we did talk a lot about how much they were going to improve… but my decision was a lot more based on the people and the feeling I was getting from the management,” Sainz explained.
It wasn’t just the immediate results that attracted Sainz but the long-term professionalism and vision of the Williams project. “What convinced me was the people and the professionalism… and the vision of the project that they had.”
The Final Push for Ferrari
Sainz knows that these last six races are crucial for Ferrari and for his own legacy with the team. With the US Grand Prix on the horizon, Sainz is fifth in the 2024 Driver’s standings and hungry to add to his 21 podiums with the Scuderia. A win in these final races would bring his Ferrari tally to four victories and cap off an unforgettable chapter in his career.
As the F1 circus rolls into Austin, Sainz’s focus remains clear: fight for Ferrari, prepare for Williams, and leave nothing on the table in his pursuit of glory.
