The shake-up in the Drivers’ market began with Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari. Despite Mercedes extending his contract, the Briton fulfilled his childhood dream by signing a new deal with Scuderia. This decision, however, left Carlos Sainz in a state of uncertainty. The Spanish driver, who has excelled this season, suddenly found himself searching for a new team.
Although numerous opportunities were available for a driver of his calibre, the 29-year-old struggled to finalize a deal. He was considered a strong candidate to replace Hamilton at Mercedes and was even seen as an option for Red Bull. However, Sainz surprised everyone by signing a multi-year contract with Williams. The Spaniard opened up about the shocking news of Hamilton’s Ferrari move.
Carlos Sainz Opens Up About The ‘Unexpected’ News Of Hamilton-Ferrari Partnership
Carlos Sainz was deep in negotiations with Ferrari when news of Lewis Hamilton’s impending arrival caught him by surprise. Reflecting on the situation during the Dutch Grand Prix, Sainz revealed that everything seemed to progress smoothly with the Italian outfit until Hamilton’s move was announced, forcing his career in an unexpected direction.
At the time, the Spaniard was unaware that his future would suddenly take a dramatic turn. He was committed to driving for a top team that was making significant progress and wanted to continue being a part of that journey. However, the unexpected change required him to redirect his focus toward new negotiations with potential teams. This process drained his mental energy and made it challenging to maintain his usual concentration level.
Despite these distractions, Sainz’s performance on the track remained consistent. Since joining Ferrari in 2021, he has been an invaluable asset to the team, securing three race wins and helping stabilize the team during a challenging period. With his position at Ferrari no longer secure, Sainz began searching for a new team. Although top teams like Mercedes and Red Bull initially expressed interest, they ultimately pursued other drivers, leaving Sainz to choose between Alpine, Sauber/Audi, and Williams. Ultimately, he opted for a multi-year deal with Williams, marking a new chapter in his career.
Lando Norris Belives Sainz Deserves A Spot In Red Bull
Lando Norris was also taken aback by Carlos Sainz’s decision, which he discussed on a recent episode of the Sky Sports F1 podcast. The MCL38 driver shared his thoughts on Sainz’s career move, expressing that he believed Red Bull would have been a better fit for the Spaniard. Having known Sainz well, Norris emphasized his respect for him, recognizing the Spanish racer as one of the top drivers in Formula One.
While 24-year-old Briton is pleased that Sainz will remain in the sport and take on a new role with Williams alongside Alex Albon, he acknowledged that many expected to see Sainz at Red Bull. Despite this, Norris pointed out that such decisions are out of his hands and sees Sainz’s move as a positive step for Formula One.