Carlos Sainz’s father has responded to speculation suggesting that tensions within the Verstappen camp may have contributed to the Spanish driver’s unsuccessful negotiations with Red Bull earlier this year.
As Ferrari gains momentum in Formula 1, Sainz, the winner of the Mexico GP, is being pushed out of the Maranello team and is set to join Williams for the 2025 season and beyond.
Sainz, 30, is striving to maintain a positive outlook.
“Mexico was a reminder for me that when I have everything under control and when I have weekends like that, I prove to myself that I can be world champion one day,” he stated at Interlagos.
“I just need to keep reminding myself and focusing on myself because in the future it will put me in a good position.”
Sainz is being replaced at Ferrari by seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, who hinted on Thursday that he seems to have made a smart choice in leaving Mercedes.
“Of course,” Hamilton responded when asked if he was excited about Ferrari’s current form”.
“You know, we all watch the video, we all watch the onboard laps and we’re always trying to see where we can gain time. And there are some cars that just react differently and better or worse in certain areas.”
While his response was diplomatic, Sainz is also taking credit for Ferrari’s evident improvement throughout the 2024 season.
“We had a difficult mid-season period,” Sainz reflected. “I was very critical and openly expressed those problems and the things I didn’t like about that package”.
“We are creating a very strong team now, and it makes me sad that everything ends for me at the end of the year. Maybe 2025 will be the year, and I won’t be here, but hopefully, we will win the constructors’ title this year.”
Many fans find it unfortunate that Sainz, who is in winning form, must leave Ferrari for a midfield position in 2025. British commentator Martin Brundle suggested that Sainz’s negotiations with Red Bull fell through due to a rift between Jos Verstappen and Carlos Sainz Sr., dating back to their time at Toro Rosso.
“We must respect all opinions,” Carlos Sainz Sr. told Marca, “but that’s absolutely not true. There is no bad relationship between Jos Verstappen and me, and what’s more, this year he is making his first steps in rallies, and we have spoken on different occasions about rallies—the notes, the car. The relationship is cordial,” added Sainz Sr., a legend in world rallying.
Sainz Sr. remains philosophical about his son taking a step back to join Williams next year. “Well, I don’t know,” he said. “Formula 1 has its circumstances, its difficulties, its times. You have to respect that. But I think Carlos is excited, even very excited about the Williams project, and I also know that he obviously wants to be in a position to fight to win races as soon as possible. What he said in Mexico is true; it’s a bit bittersweet. After these four years at Ferrari, he is a bit angry about not being able to enjoy that position next year. Because Ferrari, if it continues like this, will start as one of the favourites.”
When the interviewer remarked that Hamilton, 39, always seems to arrive at the best time once all the groundwork has been laid, Sainz Sr. “laughs out loud but offers no response.”