Carlos Sainz confesses Red Bull and Mercedes snubs ‘hurt his driver ego’
Carlos Sainz reflects on being overlooked by Mercedes and Red Bull for 2025, after Ferrari replaced him with Lewis Hamilton.
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Carlos Sainz, image via IMAGO
After Lewis Hamilton‘s move to Ferrari, Carlos Sainz negotiated with several teams to sort out his future. Despite consistent performances, none of the top teams showed interest, leading him to sign a multi-year deal with Williams.
The Spaniard has been puzzled by being overlooked for competitive seats. This hurt his driver ego and now he’s ready to compete strongly with Williams in 2025.
Carlos Sainz has been a consistent performer for Ferrari, often delivering strong results. He has contributed significantly to the team’s overall performance. His ability to adapt to different conditions, combined with his driving skills, has made him a valuable asset to the Scuderia.
However, the 2024 season took an unexpected turn which didn’t favor him, as the Maranello-based squad decided to replace him with Lewis Hamilton. The move definitely hurt the 30-year-old as he didn’t expect to get replaced at that point.
I’ve definitely come to peace, and I am a true believer that if I’m not going there, it’s because life just doesn’t want me to be there – there’s something else coming after that, that will actually turn out to be good, It hurt at the time, we all have egos, and I have a driver ego, and I couldn’t understand it at the time.
Carlos Sainz said (via PlanteF1.com)
Hamilton’s announcement came earlier this year, but Mercedes hadn’t decided on a second driver alongside George Russell until September. Despite his experience and skill, Sainz was overlooked by the them.
Similarly, Red Bull, after their dominant 2023 season, saw a dip in form by mid-2024, with Sergio Perez struggling. Sainz could’ve been a strong candidate to replace Perez, but Red Bull extended Checo’s contract until 2026 instead.
Carlos Sainz expresses desire to ‘build something good’ with Williams in 2025
After being passed over by the top teams for 2025, Carlos Sainz received offers from other teams, including Sauber and Williams. He ultimately chose Williams, drawn to its rich history and potential for future success.
With only three races left in the 2024 season, Sainz is excited for his next chapter. He’s eager to prove himself to the team that believed in him.
Williams is the one that has invested in me, that has backed me up from the beginning, the ones that came to me a full year ago, and that actually makes me super excited. I cannot wait to go there and, together with them, build something good.
Carlos Sainz stated
So far now, Sainz has won four races with Ferrari, with two of them coming this season, first in Australia and most recently in Mexico. He has been in excellent form all year, consistently fighting at the front and delivering impressive results.
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Gaurang Kadam
(535 Articles Published)