Carlos Sainz’s transition from Ferrari’s iconic pink to a starkly totally different look was on full show throughout Method 1’s post-season take a look at in Abu Dhabi. After spending 4 seasons in Ferrari’s distinctive racing overalls, Carlos Sainz donned a brand new outfit as he started a contemporary chapter with Williams.
The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix almost served as a storybook ending for Carlos Sainz’s time with the Scuderia. It was a race the place he had the possibility to bid farewell as a part of a staff that would have clinched their first Constructors’ Championship in 16 years. Nonetheless, regardless of Carlos Sainz securing a powerful second-place end and teammate Charles Leclerc additionally reaching the rostrum, it was McLaren that stole the highlight. Lando Norris’s victory sealed McLaren’s first staff title of the century, leaving Ferrari simply shy of their final objective.
When the chequered flag fell, it marked not simply the top of the 2024 season but in addition the conclusion of Carlos Sainz’s tenure at Ferrari. His seat at Maranello will now be stuffed by Lewis Hamilton, who is about to affix the staff for the upcoming season. But, there was little time for Carlos Sainz to replicate on his 4 years with the Scuderia. Only a day after the season finale, he was again on monitor, this time within the colours of his new staff, Williams, taking part within the post-season take a look at.
Carlos Sainz Begins New Chapter with Williams
On Monday afternoon, Carlos Sainz hit the Abu Dhabi circuit for a solo session forward of the official testing program. Clad in plain white overalls and sporting an unadorned white helmet, he took his first laps within the Williams FW46. The change in atmosphere was a stark distinction to his Ferrari days, however Carlos Sainz’s focus was already locked on the challenges forward.
Reflecting on the transition, Carlos Sainz revealed that his thoughts was on his Williams debut even earlier than crossing the end line for Ferrari. Chatting with the media after the take a look at, Carlos Sainz shared insights into his mindset and the joy of embarking on a brand new journey together with his new staff: “I’m not going to lie, my final laps, as a lot as I used to be pushing like hell for this staff and attempting to, I used to be already beginning to really feel issues within the automotive and attempting to say, ‘keep in mind how this feels’ – the previous Ferrari driver identified.
“As a result of tomorrow and Tuesday I want to recollect, why is that this automotive fast on this nook and why does it really feel good? As a result of I do know most likely what I’m going to seek out tomorrow, and Tuesday wants some margin of enchancment within the corners that I used to be feeling the automotive. So this simply sums up that I’m already wanting additionally forward. I’m extraordinarily motivated for the problem that I’ve forward of me. Immediately is a day to attempt to take pleasure in as a lot as doable with the staff as my final day in pink.”
How Carlos Sainz’s Preliminary Williams Laps Evaluate to His Ferrari Occasions
Motorsport has unveiled new insights into Carlos Sainz’s debut session together with his new staff, Williams.
In his first run, Sainz accomplished seven laps, recording a finest time of 1:26.484. Whereas this time is much from indicative of his potential, it highlights a stark distinction to his qualifying efficiency for Ferrari on the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix simply days earlier. Throughout that session, Sainz secured P3 on the grid with a lap time of 1:22.824.
This 3.66-second hole underscores the totally different goals of the post-season take a look at. Even after a full day of operating on Tuesday, Sainz’s occasions had been unlikely to reflect his Ferrari efficiency, because the session’s major focus was acclimation quite than outright tempo.
Ferrari Strikes On: Sainz Departs, Hamilton But to Arrive
Carlos Sainz has brazenly acknowledged that Ferrari’s choice to interchange him with Lewis Hamilton was inevitable given the chance to herald the seven-time world champion. Hamilton, who confronted challenges this season, hopes his transfer to Ferrari will rejuvenate his profession and probably ship an elusive eighth title, constructing on the groundwork laid by Sainz throughout his tenure.
In the meantime, Ferrari stays energetic in F1’s post-season take a look at. Nonetheless, Hamilton has not but joined the staff on monitor, as his contract with Mercedes extends till the 12 months’s finish. In his absence, Charles Leclerc is spearheading Ferrari’s efforts within the Pirelli tire take a look at, with Antonio Fuoco stepping in to pilot the second automotive. This session additionally fulfills the regulation requiring groups to allocate seat time to a rookie driver.
Notably, reserve driver Oliver Bearman, who made three F1 appearances in 2024, is ineligible for the rookie slot below the present guidelines. This improvement highlights the fragile steadiness groups should navigate when complying with these stipulations whereas optimizing their post-season testing applications.
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