Fred Vasseur may regret his choice in releasing Carlos Sainz at the end of this season in favor of Lewis Hamilton.
Carlos Sainz (Left), Lewis Hamilton (Right), Fred Vasseur (Center) (images via IMAGO).
Sainz’s transfer to Ferrari starting in 2025 will result in Hamilton being excluded from the Italian team next season. Currently, the Spaniard is without a seat for next year. The decision to remove Sainz from the team was difficult for Team Principal Vasseur. However, F1 presenter Brundle believes that Vasseur will not show regret over the decision.
Sainz has excelled exceptionally well in the 2024 season compared to most other top drivers on the grid. He even secured a victory at the Australian GP. Brundle mentioned that even if Vasseur realized he made a mistake in letting go of Sainz, he would not show it. Brundle explained that the choice had been made and Ferrari broke an exceptional partnership between Hamilton and Sainz.
Furthermore, Brundle did not hesitate to acknowledge that Ferrari made this decision because they had the opportunity to acquire Hamilton. Hamilton’s seven title wins overshadowed Sainz’s recent performances, resulting in the Spaniard’s departure. Additionally, Brundle explained that despite discussing the situation all day, Vasseur and Hamilton could not find a solution. Ferrari’s decision was final and could not be changed.
Charles Leclerc has more points than Carlos Sainz this season. However, Sainz lost valuable points in Saudi Arabia due to appendicitis. Former F1 driver Bousten reflected on the differences between the two drivers. Bousten stated that Sainz never had the same level of dominance in F1 as Leclerc. Furthermore, Bousten claimed that the two drivers were in completely different circumstances.
Furthermore, Bousten emphasized the contractual situation of both drivers for the next season. Therefore, Sainz will have to make the most of his remaining time at Ferrari to secure a good seat for the following season. However, Bousten mentioned that he would prefer Leclerc over Sainz. The reason being that the mentality and pressure on both drivers were different. It is believed that Sainz is in contact with Audi for the next year.
Regardless of the circumstances of the next year, both Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz will strive to achieve the best possible results for Ferrari. Maranello has been minimizing errors since the beginning of the season. However, it remains to be seen where Sainz will go in 2025.
