Carlos Sainz has endured a tough stint at Ferrari, playing second fiddle to the team’s golden boy, Charles Leclerc. Despite this, Sainz has shown his mettle as a formidable competitor.
In 2021, Sainz managed to outscore Leclerc by 5.5 points and finished two places ahead of him in the championship standings. However, the following year saw a reversal of fortunes. Issues with his car plagued Sainz’s season, allowing Leclerc to outscore him by 62 points and claim several Grand Prix victories. Nevertheless, Sainz celebrated his maiden F1 win at the British Grand Prix, becoming the 112th driver to win an F1 race and only the second Spaniard to do so after Fernando Alonso.
Last year’s contest between the Ferrari drivers was incredibly close, with Leclerc narrowly edging out Sainz by just six points. A manhole cover incident at the Las Vegas Grand Prix wrecked Sainz’s weekend, likely costing him a higher finish in the final standings.
Ferrari’s decision to replace Sainz with the veteran Lewis Hamilton for the next season has raised eyebrows. Sainz’s strong start this year, including podium finishes in the first three races and a win in Australia, has led many to question whether Ferrari made a wise choice. Team boss Fred Vasseur praised Sainz’s professionalism, recounting how he responded to the news about Hamilton: ‘He’s a professional, and his first reaction was:
Ok Fred, it’s a difficult decision, but let’s push until the last corner of the last lap of the season.
Sainz has potential opportunities with several other teams. Red Bull could consider him as a replacement for Sergio Perez, given the struggles Perez has faced this season. Despite a rocky past with Max Verstappen during their time at Toro Rosso, a source suggests that if Verstappen leaves Red Bull, Sainz would be an excellent choice to step in.
Mercedes is another possibility, although their focus seems to be on grooming young talent for the future. Meanwhile, Audi and Williams have shown interest in signing Sainz. Williams, in particular, is undergoing significant investment and could present a viable option for Sainz despite their current lack of points.
Ferrari appears to be experiencing a resurgence, potentially fueled by new talent and investment. Yet, it’s unclear how competitive Audi will be when they join the grid fully. Williams seems serious about rejuvenating their team, with team boss James Vowles impressing in the paddock and the team making strategic moves to enhance its capabilities.
The Formula One community is eagerly watching to see where Sainz will land. With the driver market in flux and several teams weighing their options, Sainz’s next move could significantly impact the 2025 F1 season.
Sainz has proven his skill and resilience time and again. His future in Formula One remains uncertain, but whatever team secures his talents will gain a dedicated and formidable driver.
