Sir Lewis Hamilton will replace Carlos Sainz Jr. at Ferrari next year. He made that announcement early in 2024. His announcement shocked everyone in the F1 world. The main reason for that shock was the great Briton’s decision to leave Mercedes. This great English racer has been part of the Brackley team since 2013. He has changed the status of the German outfit completely. Before he joined the Silver Arrows, that team did not look like a powerhouse. Not even they could be a champion someday was a possible guess. But the late great Niki Lauda promised the former McLaren driver that this team would provide him with the right car. And they did. From 2014 to 2021, Mercedes was unbeatable. They won all the constructor titles.
Lewis Hamilton went on to win six Driver’s World Championships, adding to his first with McLaren back in 2008. Hence, the collaboration between Hamilton and Mercedes was so special that his decision to leave shocked everybody. But it couldn’t have shocked anyone else more than Carlos Sainz Jr. The Spaniard finds himself in an awkward situation where he doesn’t know where he will go next year. Lately, some fans pointed out a Monaco-based magazine that “Disrespected” Sainz Jr.
Why Fans Believe A Monaco Outlet “Disrespected” Carlos Sainz Jr.?
Albeit, the whole world is waiting to see Lewis Hamilton in Ferrari colors, it is still a fact that he is still a Mercedes driver. On the other hand, Carlos Sainz Jr. is still a Ferrari driver. Most importantly, he has been the most successful non-Red Bull driver since last year to win multiple races. But it seems like a Monaco outlet called The Monegasque is living under a rock, or it thinks it is 2025 already. This Monaco-based magazine excluded Carlos Sainz Jr. from their 2024 April-June issue’s front cover. They made their front cover with a cartoon-style portrait of young Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc playing on the Monaco track with a miniature Prancing Horse and a small model of Ferrari’s F1 car. They are actually sitting at the iconic Casino Square Section of the iconic track.
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Meanwhile, they didn’t draw a youthful portrait of Carlos Sainz Jr. The Monegasque completely omitted the Spaniard. As a result, on social media, the fans criticized the front cover and the outlet for being so “Disrespectful.” One fan commented, “It is so disrespectful to the Spanish driver.” Then, another fan wrote, “Everyone is really leaving Carlos behind even when he is driving for Scuderia Ferrari.” Moreover, there was a third comment that said the front cover was disrespectful towards both Mercedes and Ferrari. Lewis Hamilton is still a Mercedes driver, and it is important to acknowledge that Carlos Sainz is still in Ferrari.
Lewis Hamilton Made The F1 Future Of The Spaniard Uncertain
Carlos Sainz Jr. has received a lucrative offer from Audi, quite possibly over the recent months. As per rumors, it must be a three-year contract. But the Spaniard has not accepted the offer yet. Perhaps he is waiting for offers from Red Bull and Mercedes. However, according to PlanetF1.com, the latest reports that came on Wednesday suggest that talks between Mercedes and Carlos are still stalling.
Hence, the prospect of a direct swap with the seven-time champion is off the table for now. Moreover, Helmut Marko of Red Bull said they won’t be able to match the Audi offer for Carlos. Hence, the 29-year-old driver is looking at oblivion beyond this season regarding his future.
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