Carlos Sainz may have been ousted from Ferrari to make way for Lewis Hamilton, but there’s no bitterness in his words—only respect and confidence in what the seven-time champion can bring to Maranello.
While Ferrari came close to title contention in 2024, Sainz believes that Hamilton’s arrival could finally push the Scuderia over the edge.
“When I left Ferrari, I did feel the team—both Ferrari and Charles [Leclerc]—were ready to fight for a world championship. With Lewis joining, those chances can only increase.”
That’s a bold endorsement from the man Hamilton replaced.
Hamilton: The Missing Piece in Ferrari’s Championship Puzzle?
Ferrari has been in a title drought since Kimi Räikkönen’s 2007 triumph, and while Leclerc has shown flashes of brilliance, the team has lacked consistency in executing a full-season championship challenge.
Sainz, who secured crucial wins for Ferrari in recent years, believes Hamilton’s pedigree and experience could be the difference.
“When I judge by results and his background and what he’s achieved, I can only say there’s a very high chance that he’s going to be competitive in Ferrari.”
But can Hamilton instantly adapt to Ferrari’s unique car philosophy? That, Sainz admits, is the biggest unknown.
Leclerc vs. Hamilton: The Ultimate Ferrari Duel?
Sainz has spent years battling alongside Leclerc and knows exactly what the Monegasque is capable of.
However, he has never shared a garage with Hamilton—making it difficult to compare the two.
“I’ve seen Charles, and I know how good he is, but I’ve never been teammates with Lewis. The only way you can evaluate a driver purely is when you’re their teammate and you see what they’re capable of doing.”
The biggest factor will be how well Hamilton adapts to Ferrari’s machinery.
“Like everything, it will all depend on how well you can adapt to a car.”
If Hamilton and Leclerc are evenly matched, Ferrari could face a major internal battle—one that could either propel them forward or destabilize their title charge.
Can Hamilton End Ferrari’s 17-Year Wait?
The Tifosi’s expectations are sky-high.
Hamilton’s arrival is Ferrari’s boldest move in decades, and anything less than a title challenge will be considered a failure.
Sainz, though no longer part of the Scuderia, sees a team on the brink of greatness—and with Hamilton in the mix, Ferrari’s shot at glory has never looked more real.
Will 2025 finally be the year Ferrari reclaims the crown?
Or will Hamilton’s adaptation struggles and Leclerc’s hunger for supremacy create an internal storm at Maranello?
Either way, Formula 1 fans are in for a blockbuster season.
