Carlos Sainz claims F1 will see two “new faces” on the grid amidst a busy driver market 

The competition for racing seats is extremely fierce in F1.

Carlos Sainz claims F1 will see two “new faces” on the grid amidst a busy driver market 

Carlos Sainz (via IMAGO)

A majority of the drivers’ market will open up by the 2025 season. Multiple drivers’ contracts are ending this season with uncertainty over the future with the same constructor in Formula 1. Additionally, multiple drivers such as Lewis Hamilton, and Esteban Ocon have announced their exit from their respective teams already. Hence, the coming season could witness the addition of new faces as pointed out by Carlos Sainz.

The current Formula 1 grid is completely packed with 20 drivers driving for their respective teams. However, the coming season could pose an interesting situation witnessing the addition of young drivers to the grid. Oliver Bearman and Kimi Antonelli are among the many other young prospects who have a great chance of joining the grid.

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Carlos Sainz declared that new faces will surely be added by the coming season. However, the 29-year-old also recalled the slim chances of successfully scoring a seat amidst the high amount of promising youngsters available. As a result, the drivers really need to put forth promising prospects alongside positive performance to even be considered for the reserve driver role for the teams.

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Twenty drivers are now driving in Formula 1. Next year two new faces will be added. That means eighteen guests just stay in place. Can you see how small the chance is that you are one of those nineteen or twenty year old boys who can pass on to the royal class.

Carlos Sainz said as reported by formule1.nl.

Carlos Sainz claims being the son of Carlos Sainz Sr. was an ‘advantage’ for his F1 career

Carlos Sainz Jr. has great backing from his father who is also a motorsport legend, Carlos Sainz Sr. Young drivers often face high pressure to perform well due to their father’s legacy. However, Sainz believed that being the son of his motorsport-fanatic father was a great advantage. Additionally, the 29-year-old laid out the benefits he gained as his father was financially stable and famous enough to garner sponsorships.

To be extremely honest, I think on a practical level ‘being the son of’ is an advantage. I have a father who luckily has done well financially, he had money to pay for my karting career, he has contacts to get some sponsorship when you’re young, some help to cover the budget. He has the experience to give you all that advice. In practice it’s a great thing.
Carlos Sainz said on the Nude Project podcast (H&T: planetf1.com).
Carlos Sainz with Carlos Sainz Sr.
Carlos Sainz and Carlos Sainz Sr, via IMAGO

Apart from this, the Spaniard noted that he was proud to be the ‘son of’ and didn’t underestimate this label. However, Sainz Jr. was constantly berated due to having the surname of a very popular driver. Sainz exclaimed that he could never be able to get rid of this label. The label is now seen as a motivating factor rather than something that could pull him down in performance.

I’m proud to be ‘son of’, but don’t underestimate the things that come with having that label and that continuous comparison. ‘That guy is only there because of his surname’ – it’s a phrase I keep hearing even though I’m a Ferrari driver and have been signed by Red Bull. It’s a label I may never get rid of, but that phrase motivated me.
Carlos Sainz concluded.

The Spaniard had started the 2024 season off in a great fashion. He has already scored a race win against Red Bull’s dominant performance. However, the 29-year-old is still without a seat for the coming season. Hence, the rest of the campaign will be used for Sainz to prove his racecraft to the teams present on the grid.

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