Carlos Sainz may have simply turned his departure from Ferrari right into a bitter and contentious chapter in his profession. In any case, he was on the receiving finish of probably the most cold-blooded driver choices in Components 1 historical past.
In 2023, Sainz achieved a outstanding feat by being the one driver outdoors of Pink Bull to safe a Grand Prix victory, whereas additionally ending simply six factors behind his teammate, Charles Leclerc. Nevertheless, when the time got here for contract negotiations, Ferrari knowledgeable him that they might not be renewing his deal. As an alternative, that they had been in discussions with Lewis Hamilton and had been desperate to signal the seven-time world champion.
Although Ferrari would problem for the title in 2024, ending a mere 14 factors behind McLaren, Sainz discovered himself in a totally completely different state of affairs. Now, he’ll be becoming a member of a group that completed second-to-last within the Constructors’ Championship. Had he stayed with Ferrari, Sainz may have held authentic aspirations of competing for the 2025 title. As an alternative, he faces the potential for struggling to persistently rating factors with Williams.
Regardless of the circumstances, Sainz’s departure was not marked by bitterness. There was an underlying heat in his farewell, maybe as a result of he is aware of {that a} return to Ferrari at some point remains to be a chance, and he’s doing what he can to protect that relationship.
Carlos Sainz Sr. expressed deep gratitude to Ferrari for an “unimaginable” gesture that allowed him to share the observe together with his son. Only a day after finishing his first check with Williams in Abu Dhabi, Sainz was invited by Ferrari to Fiorano, alongside together with his father, for a particular parting present.
Not solely was Sainz Sr. allowed to get behind the wheel of one in every of Ferrari’s F1 vehicles, however he was additionally in a position to drive alongside his son on the observe. Talking to talkSPORT in Dakar, Sainz Sr. praised Ferrari group principal Fred Vasseur for his “unbelievable” generosity. This heartfelt gesture was simply one in every of a number of considerate presents Sainz obtained from the Scuderia.
One other important present got here within the type of the F1-75 automobile, which Ferrari gave to Sainz to maintain. The Spaniard had received his first-ever F1 race within the 2022 British Grand Prix driving that very mannequin, and Damon Hill expressed admiration for the gesture, recognizing its symbolic worth in Sainz’s F1 journey.
Sainz Sr. expressed that it was a big expertise for him, stating that he actually loved the chance, significantly appreciating the automobile’s energy, dealing with, and braking. He talked about that being invited by Ferrari to drive alongside his son in a farewell gesture was one thing actually particular. He described the day as unforgettable and highlighted how a lot enjoyable that they had collectively, emphasizing that driving a contemporary Components 1 automobile was a unprecedented expertise.
Carlos Sainz Sr. has maintained a public stance of respect, however privately, he has expressed his frustration concerning his son’s missed alternative with Mercedes. He believes that Carlos Sainz Jr. deserves a greater destiny than the one he’s been handed.
Pink Bull, hesitant to reunite the 30-year-old with Max Verstappen—his former Toro Rosso teammate—rejected the thought of signing him. Sainz Sr. has a historical past of rigidity with Jos Verstappen, and Christian Horner was involved a few potential repeat of these points.
In the meantime, Mercedes made the choice to interchange Lewis Hamilton with the untested Kimi Antonelli, a selection that Sainz Sr. finds puzzling. Based on Marc Surer, an in depth pal of Sainz Sr., the veteran driver feels that the choice to rent Antonelli is much from logical.
Including to his frustration was the response to Antonelli’s heavy crash on his debut at Monza in August. Sainz Sr. was shocked by the lenient remedy given to the younger driver, feeling that Antonelli was given a “clean verify” to break the automobile. If Kimi Antonelli struggles within the coming season, Sainz Sr. might discover a sense of validation in his disapproval.
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