Carlos Sainz may be preparing to leave Ferrari at the end of 2024, but he’s parting on a high note after an impressive season that has showcased his resilience and talent. The Spaniard, who will be replaced by Lewis Hamilton in 2025, expressed pride in his accomplishments, even in the face of a “strange” and challenging year. With two race wins and a critical role in securing Ferrari’s runner-up position in the Constructors’ standings, Sainz has made his mark.
Reflecting on his recent performances, Sainz highlighted the satisfaction he felt after putting himself in winning positions, especially in Austin and Mexico. “I managed to put myself in a position with improving my driving and my confidence with the car, to put myself in a position to, first, win in Austin… and put myself in a position to win here [in Mexico],” Sainz said, applauding teammate Charles Leclerc’s US GP victory.
Despite a difficult start to the year and the early announcement of his departure, Sainz never lost focus. The 30-year-old took the Australian GP win and continued to deliver strong performances, helping Ferrari stay in contention. “It was not an easy one, not an easy year, but I’m proud of the way that I’ve managed to keep myself in it and… help the team now as much as I can to win the constructors’ [championship]. It would be the perfect goodbye for me,” Sainz noted.
Sainz’s journey in 2024 has been one of adapting to challenges, from handling the disappointment of his departure announcement to navigating Ferrari’s mid-season struggles with car development. “It’s been a strange year in that sense and also quite a challenging one,” he said. “The year started really well, then we went through a tough period of development, and then suddenly we managed to make the car competitive again.”
With Ferrari set to battle McLaren for the Constructors’ Championship in the final four races, Sainz hopes to end his Ferrari chapter on a high, potentially securing a title that would be a fitting farewell. As the season draws to a close, the stage is set for an electrifying showdown between multiple teams and drivers vying for the championship, with Sainz aiming to deliver one last standout performance for the Scuderia.
