Carlos Sainz: “I was 99% sure I was going to continue with Ferrari”

Carlos Sainz was preparing to start his fourth season at Ferrari when the announcement of the surprising signing of Lewis Hamilton was made, forcing the Spaniard to juggle between his on-track performances and discussions with rival teams to secure a new seat.

He set aside his disappointment to achieve one of his best seasons to date, highlighted by a comeback after an appendicitis operation to win the Australian Grand Prix, as well as a pole position followed by a victory in Mexico.

Speaking on the Beyond The Grid podcast, Carlos Sainz revealed that Ferrari’s decision to replace him made him suffer during the winter, but he believes that this ordeal made him a much better driver.

« I think that at the beginning of the year, I was tested like never before, and life put me in a situation that was not comfortable at all, » commented Carlos Sainz. « I was informed that I wouldn’t continue with the team I was 99% sure I would stay with that winter. It was a huge shock for my hopes, and I obviously did not enjoy that moment. »

« I still continued to train and prepare for this season with the aim of being ready to win races and a championship if the opportunity arose. I approached this year with as much energy as ever, but obviously with this uncomfortable situation and difficult moment to live through, he explains.

« I remember being very moved on the podium of the Australian Grand Prix because my father was there, as well as my manager, my girlfriend, and everyone who supports me daily. I was obviously thinking of my mother.

He continued: « They all saw me suffer during the winter. When I say suffer, I don’t mean I was crying behind closed doors, but I was affected. It hurt me because I didn’t expect it. I wasn’t prepared to receive that kind of news. I was a bit in shock for a while. »

A complicated moment for the Spaniard. I remember that after Australia, I felt incredibly fortunate to have these people around me, who support me and give me this inner strength to overcome a difficult moment. Now, looking back, I’m almost happy and proud that it happened, because it made me much better as a driver and athlete in general.

A new challenge at Williams

After discussions with several teams in the paddock, Carlos Sainz has chosen to join Williams for 2025 and beyond, donning their colors for the first time during the post-season tests in Abu Dhabi last week.

Despite what he went through earlier this year, the four-time Grand Prix winner does not rule out a potential return to Ferrari if the circumstances are right in the future. “Yes, why not? I don’t see why it wouldn’t be possible,” Sainz said.

« At the same time, I don’t think it will happen in the near future. But life is long. I’m 30 years old. We see 42-year-old drivers still in F1, so if I stay in F1 that long, who can say that in the next 10 years, Ferrari won’t need my services again? »

« This does not mean that I wish for it to happen or that I am looking forward to it. I now have a clear goal in mind: to help Williams return to the forefront. But honestly, I don’t think about it too much. »