AutoGear
  • Latest News
  • AutoGear TV
  • Sustainable Mobility
  • Motorsports
    • Circuits
    • Rally
    • Rally raid
    • WEC
  • English
    • Português
    • Italiano
    • Français
    • Español
    • English
    • Deutsch
    • 日本語
  • STANDINGS
No Result
View All Result
AutoGear
  • Latest News
  • AutoGear TV
  • Sustainable Mobility
  • Motorsports
    • Circuits
    • Rally
    • Rally raid
    • WEC
  • English
    • Português
    • Italiano
    • Français
    • Español
    • English
    • Deutsch
    • 日本語
  • STANDINGS
No Result
View All Result
AutoGear

Carlos Sainz’s Move to Williams: A Missed Opportunity for Mercedes?

Harry Bright by Harry Bright
February 3, 2025
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0
Carlos Sainz on Williams Move: ‘A New Challenge That Fuels My Motivation’

FILE PHOTO: Formula One F1 - Mexico City Grand Prix - Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, Mexico City, Mexico - October 27, 2024 Ferrari's Carlos Sainz Jr. celebrates on the podium after winning the Mexico City Grand Prix REUTERS/Raquel Cunha/File Photo

Carlos Sainz Jr.’s departure from Ferrari left him at a career crossroads, with talks involving Red Bull, Mercedes, and Williams before he ultimately signed with the Grove-based outfit for 2025. However, according to former F1 driver Marc Surer, Sainz’s camp, particularly his father Carlos Sainz Sr., was left puzzled by Mercedes’ decision to promote Kimi Antonelli instead of offering the seat to an established driver.

Surer revealed insights from conversations with Sainz Sr., where the Spanish rally legend questioned why Mercedes didn’t follow their usual junior driver path—one that saw George Russell gain experience at Williams before his promotion.

“At Mercedes, why take the risk now with the very young one when you would have had the chance to place him at Williams like you did with Russell? I agree with Carlos’ father – that’s not logical.”

Sainz Was Ready for Mercedes—But the Seat Went to Antonelli

It’s no secret that Sainz was interested in securing a top drive for 2025. With Red Bull extending Sergio Perez’s contract, his best option appeared to be Mercedes—a move he reportedly would have accepted immediately if offered.

“He would have taken a Mercedes seat,” Surer stated.

Instead, Mercedes took a gamble, fast-tracking Kimi Antonelli, an 18-year-old prodigy with no F1 race experience, straight into one of the sport’s most demanding seats.

Did Mercedes Take an Unnecessary Risk?

While Antonelli’s talent is undeniable, his first practice session at Monza ended in a crash—something that raised eyebrows in the paddock. Surer noted that Carlos Sainz Sr. found the celebration of Antonelli’s crash bizarre, questioning whether the young driver was truly ready to handle the pressure of a top team.

For Mercedes, the move signals a long-term vision, but for Sainz, it left him out of options at the front of the grid.

Can Williams Be More Than Just a Placeholder for Sainz?

Now set for a 2025 campaign with Williams, Sainz faces the challenge of proving that he deserves another shot at a title-contending team. His experience and racecraft will undoubtedly help Williams, but the question remains:

🔹 Did Mercedes make a mistake passing on Sainz for Antonelli?
🔹 Can Williams give Sainz a platform to prove he belongs at the front?

One thing is certain: all eyes will be on both Sainz and Antonelli in 2025 as they fight to justify their respective team’s decisions.

Share212Tweet133Send

Related Posts

Piastri’s Reckless Move Sparks Controversy: Montoya Defends Norris in Tense McLaren Standoff!
Motorsports

Piastri’s Reckless Move Sparks Controversy: Montoya Defends Norris in Tense McLaren Standoff!

Formula One F1 - Hungarian Grand Prix - Hungaroring, Budapest, Hungary - August 1, 2025 McLaren's Oscar Piastri ahead of...

by Simon Monroy
October 14, 2025
Max Verstappen’s Astonishing Path to 2025 F1 Championship: Can He Defy All Odds?
Motorsports

Max Verstappen’s Astonishing Path to 2025 F1 Championship: Can He Defy All Odds?

Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool

by David Castro
October 14, 2025
Mercedes Celebrates 500th Safety Car Race in F1: A Legendary Journey Through Speed and Safety!
Motorsports

Mercedes Celebrates 500th Safety Car Race in F1: A Legendary Journey Through Speed and Safety!

Mercedes-AMG Set to Celebrate a Milestone: The 500th Race of its Iconic Safety Car! Prepare for an electrifying weekend in...

by Virgilio Machado
October 14, 2025
McLaren’s Shocking Favoritism: Is Lando Norris Receiving Unfair Advantage Over Oscar Piastri?
Motorsports

McLaren’s Shocking Favoritism: Is Lando Norris Receiving Unfair Advantage Over Oscar Piastri?

Is McLaren Playing Favorites? The Controversy Between Norris and Piastri Heats Up! In a storm of accusations swirling around the...

by Carl Smith
October 14, 2025

Recent News

Piastri’s Reckless Move Sparks Controversy: Montoya Defends Norris in Tense McLaren Standoff!

Piastri’s Reckless Move Sparks Controversy: Montoya Defends Norris in Tense McLaren Standoff!

October 14, 2025
Max Verstappen’s Astonishing Path to 2025 F1 Championship: Can He Defy All Odds?

Max Verstappen’s Astonishing Path to 2025 F1 Championship: Can He Defy All Odds?

October 14, 2025
Mercedes Celebrates 500th Safety Car Race in F1: A Legendary Journey Through Speed and Safety!

Mercedes Celebrates 500th Safety Car Race in F1: A Legendary Journey Through Speed and Safety!

October 14, 2025
McLaren’s Shocking Favoritism: Is Lando Norris Receiving Unfair Advantage Over Oscar Piastri?

McLaren’s Shocking Favoritism: Is Lando Norris Receiving Unfair Advantage Over Oscar Piastri?

October 14, 2025

Newsletter

  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • TECHNICAL INFORMATION
  • EDITORIAL STATUS
  • TERMS AND CONDITIONS

© 2023 AutoGear - Todos os direitos reservados AutoGear.

No Result
View All Result
  • Latest News
  • AutoGear TV
  • Sustainable Mobility
  • Motorsports
    • Circuits
    • Rally
    • Rally raid
    • WEC
  • English
    • Português
    • Italiano
    • Français
    • Español
    • English
    • Deutsch
    • 日本語

© 2023 AutoGear - Todos os direitos reservados AutoGear.