Sainz Excluded from Ferrari’s 2025 F1 Development
Carlos Sainz believes that Ferrari has made the “clear” decision to exclude him from the development of their 2025 Formula 1 car.
Sainz’s tenure at the Scuderia will come to an end after the 2024 Formula 1 season, with Lewis Hamilton, a seven-time F1 champion, set to take his place.
The 2025 season represents Ferrari’s final chance to win under the current Formula 1 regulations before they are completely overhauled for 2026 and beyond.
As Sainz prepares to join a yet-to-be-announced Ferrari rival next year, he is content with the fact that his current team is not involving him in discussions regarding next year’s scarlet red Formula 1 machine.
“It is evident that they will not include me in the meetings for next year’s car,” Sainz stated to the media last week at the Red Bull Ring in Austria.
“If they do, they are probably not being very smart because they know I will be somewhere else.
“So I am not participating in the simulator sessions for the development of next year’s car, nor am I attending the meetings for next year’s car. However, I am participating in every session of the simulator for this year’s car and this year’s circuits, as well as every meeting regarding potential improvements or developments for this year’s car.
“I am satisfied with this arrangement because it is how I believe it should be, or what I would do if I were a team principal or something of the sort.”
With Sainz being phased out of Ferrari’s development discussions as he prepares to part ways with the team and his teammate Charles Leclerc, one wonders if Lewis Hamilton has had any involvement in shaping Formula 1 car development.
Leclerc revealed that he and Hamilton frequently converse, but dismissed the notion of technical discussions taking place.
“We actually speak quite often,” he stated.
“However, as I have already mentioned, we do not really discuss what is happening within our team.
“For now, I am fully focused on my upcoming season with Ferrari and the subsequent seasons after that.
“Lewis, on the other hand, is focused on his final year with Mercedes and finishing on a high note.”
Sainz’s destination for the 2025 Formula 1 season remains unknown as the Spaniard takes his time to consider his options, of which there are many.
The three-time Formula 1 Grand Prix winner was reportedly on the verge of signing with Williams, but he still has potential suitors in Alpine and Sauber.
