Ferrari’s decision to cash in on a seven-time world champion was one of the biggest signings in F1 history. Lewis Hamilton, who has been with Mercedes since 2013, is ready to wear the iconic red racing suit. His childhood dream of driving for the Prancing Horse in F1 became a reality. However, it ended Carlos Sainz’s aspiration to continue with Ferrari. This revelation took the Spaniard aback, who was clueless about the development.
However, the 29-year-old racer has accepted the team’s decision, holding no grudges against the management. He joined the team in 2021, replacing four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel. However, he is still hoping for a Ferrari return in the near future, as he loves the squad. Recently, Sainz opened up about the entire scenario of Ferrari replacing him with Hamilton.
Sainz Reveals He Would Have “Loved To Stay At Ferrari” If Hamilton Was Unavailable
Carlos Sainz was in talks with the Maranello squad for a potential contract extension when a dramatic decision changed the course of his F1 career. The management informed him that they had signed Lewis Hamilton as his replacement for the 2025 season. During a recent interaction with F1 Maxmaal, Sainz opened up about the chances of Ferrari retaining him if Hamilton was unavailable. “I remain convinced that if Hamilton had not wanted to end his career at Ferrari, I would have extended,” Sainz claimed. He elaborated that it was nearly impossible for Ferrari to turn down the chance of signing a seven-time world champion.
Lewis Hamilton struggled in the last couple of seasons with Mercedes. Although the Silver Arrows showed signs of resurgence, it was too late. The 39-year-old British superstar is on a quest to lift the record-breaking eighth world title. On the other hand, Sainz was performing flawlessly with the Maranello squad. He remained in the mix for the first time since his debut in 2015. On top of that, Sainz created endless memories which he will cherish throughout his life. “I don’t have a bad word for Ferrari, nor do I think they have bad words about me,” he concluded.
The “smooth operator” will return to a familiar setup in 2025. After endless speculation, he signed a contract with Williams. The Spaniard has raced for the midfield F1 teams throughout his career, so he will return to that familiar role next season. He said that it would be slightly challenging to adapt to this responsibility. However, his past experience would help him sail through.
Toto Wolff Asserts Lewis Hamilton’s Exit Will Have A “Huge Echo”
Carlos Sainz is not the only one affected by this move, as the Mercedes chief is also in the queue. Speaking to Italian magazine Autosprint, Wolff accepted Hamilton’s departure to have a huge impact on the setup. Subsequently, the Silver Arrows announced Kimi Antonelli as Hamilton’s replacement.
However, Mercedes’s boss is confident in the new pair, foreseeing George Russell and Kimi Antonelli as the team’s future. Furthermore, he is optimistic about having a successful season, especially with Hamilton absent for the first time since 2013.