The shockwaves from Lewis Hamilton’s unexpected Ferrari move stirred up the entire driver lineup. While Mercedes was caught off guard, Carlos Sainz was notably surprised by the abrupt decision. Despite having a solid performance in the current season, Sainz was eclipsed by the arrival of the seven-time world champion.
Additionally, Sainz faced difficulties securing a new team, with speculation linking him to Mercedes or Red Bull. In the end, the 29-year-old had to accept a seat at Williams, even though he had the potential to compete for top-tier teams. Now, Maranello chief Fred Vasseur has hinted towards a Sainz-Ferrari reunion soon.
Fred Vasseur Re-Opens Ferrari Doors For Carlos Sainz
Despite Carlos Sainz’s imminent departure from Ferrari, Frederic Vasseur stated a willingness to work with him again in the future. At the end of the season, Sainz will leave Ferrari to join Williams, making way for seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton. Vasseur, Ferrari’s team principal, faced the tough decision of replacing Sainz but highlighted that the move reflected Hamilton’s great career rather than Sainz’s performance.
Vasseur said that the Spaniard was discussing extending his contract with Ferrari when the possibility of signing Hamilton presented itself. Moreover, Vasseur and Sainz will split ways after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, although Vasseur hopes to work with Sainz again in the future. He praised Sainz for his professionalism and outstanding performance for Ferrari despite the difficulties of switching to a new club. Vasseur praised Sainz’s involvement in Ferrari’s turnaround from a tough moment last season and expressed gratitude for his services to the team.
Earlier, in an interview with DAZN at Zandvoort, the Spanish racer reflected on his significant tenure with Ferrari, expressing that his departure was bittersweet. He noted that his exit was not due to any issues within the team but rather because he was effectively a ‘sacrifice’ to make way for seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, who will be joining Ferrari. Despite leaving, Sainz remains optimistic about his time with the Prancing Horses. He praised his strong relationships with team principal Fred Vasseur, teammate Charles Leclerc, and the entire Ferrari engineering crew. Sainz also mentioned his appreciation for the support from Ferrari fans. He emphasized that while moving on, he is not closing the door on a potential future return to Ferrari, as he still has many years left in his racing career.
An Emotional Climax Awaits Carlos Sainz
Sainz shared an emotional message about the tifosis ahead of the Monza GP. The Spaniard was willing to embrace every moment in the iconic red racing suit. He also received a warm reception from the Ferrari fans. Despite the unfavorable result for him personally, the team’s victory added a special touch to the occasion.