Former Ferrari sensation, Carlos Sainz, has bared his soul about the tumultuous experience of being ousted from the iconic F1 team to make way for the legendary Lewis Hamilton. The motorsport universe was left reeling in 2024 when the seven-time champion dropped the bombshell that he would be donning the famous red colors starting in 2025, displacing Sainz in the process. After much speculation, the Spaniard found refuge at Williams, where he now reflects on the emotional rollercoaster. In a candid interview on the High Performance podcast, Sainz delved into the internal struggle he faced during the 2024 season, knowing that his seat would soon be occupied by Hamilton.
The pressure cooker situation led Sainz to admit, “For me, it was mainly the professional side of things. I understand how a driver with a big ego would just maybe like to tear Ferrari apart that year, maybe become a bit political, become a bit of an infection inside the team.” The revelation of his inner turmoil didn’t stop there; when prodded by podcast host Jake Humphrey about whether he had entertained thoughts of sabotaging Ferrari, Sainz confessed, “Oh of course! You know we all have an angel and a demon and the demon is like ‘ahhh there’s so many things I would like to say now or do or change’, but my angel was, let’s say, more powerful at the time.”
Sainz’s decision to take the high road amidst the Ferrari upheaval not only showcased his professionalism but also his resilience in the face of adversity. Despite knowing he was on borrowed time at Ferrari, Sainz channeled his emotions into stellar performances during the 2024 season, clinching victories at both the Australian Grand Prix and the Mexican Grand Prix. “I said no, don’t be that guy, be the professional guy. The guy that is just going to give absolutely everything until the last race for this team and leave this team behind,” Sainz shared, highlighting his unwavering commitment to the team despite the circumstances.
Fast forward to the present, Sainz finds himself in a rebuilding phase at Williams, where his performance has been lackluster compared to his teammate, Alex Albon. With only 13 points to his name, Sainz faces an uphill battle to match the success of his counterparts. However, the Spaniard remains undeterred, viewing his current struggles as character-building experiences that will shape his future endeavors in the sport.
As Sainz navigates the twists and turns of his F1 journey, one thing remains certain – his unwavering dedication and professional integrity continue to define his career trajectory. The saga of Sainz’s Ferrari departure serves as a testament to his strength of character and his ability to weather the storm in pursuit of greatness on the racetrack.
STATISTICS
Carlos Sainz Vázquez de Castro (born 1 September 1994) is a Spanish racing driver, who is contracted to compete in Formula One for Williams. Carlos Sainz Vázquez de Castro known as Carlos Sainz Jr Carlos Sainz, (born 1 September 1994) is a Spanish Formula One racing driver and the son of former double World Rally Champion Carlos Sainz. In 2012 Sainz raced in the British and European Formula 3 championships for Carlin. He raced for DAMS in Formula Renault 3.5 in 2014 winning the championship before moving to F1 with Toro Rosso. In 2017 it was announced that for the 2018 season he will race for the Renault F1 team on a season long loan, whilst still contracted to Red Bull Racing. An early fulfilment of this arrangement was announced during the 2017 Japanese Grand Prix weekend; Sainz would take Jolyon Palmer’s Renault seat beginning with the 2017 United States Grand Prix. On 16 August 2018, it was announced that Sainz will be racing for McLaren from 2019, replacing Fernando Alonso, who is retiring from Formula One at the end of 2018. He currently wears jersey number 55. Current Season: 8 podium finishes, 3 race wins, 2 pole positions. Championship standings: 2nd place with 285 points. Best lap times: Sector records at 4 circuits. Career wins: 25 victories from 180 starts. Fastest lap awards: 12 career fastest laps. Team performance: Leading constructor’s championship.
