Ferrari made a huge mistake and it’s Carlos Sainz who’s going to pay the price

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After a superb qualifying session and an amazing race at the 2024 Mexican Grand Prix, Carlos Sainz delivered a memorable performance that landed him to the first step of the podium.

A true feat on Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, where every element has to come together for a perfect lap. This win isn’t just a technical victory-it’s also filled with emotion for the Spanish driver, who will be leaving Ferrari at the end of the season. Here’s why Ferrari may already regret letting go of their Spanish driver.

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2024: Carlos Sainz’s best F1 season

In 2024, Carlos Sainz’s record with Ferrari includes 240 points scored, two remarkable wins in Australia and in Mexico and seven podiums. His teammate Charles Leclerc is also having one of his best seasons, with three wins and 291 points. Together, Ferrari’s driver duo is currently one of the strongest on the grid. Among the frontrunners, Red Bull relies heavily on one driver, while McLaren also boasts a strong duo, and Mercedes is a bit behind in terms of performance. Off the track, Leclerc and Sainz get along well and have given us great on-track battles, like the one at the 2023 Italian GP and the USGP Sprint Race this year. Ferrari has two highly talented drivers here, but Sainz has proven multiple times that he knows how to keep a cool head and has an excellent reading of race strategy—a quality that’s still challenging for Leclerc. Winning the Mexico Grand Prix once again proves that Sainz is here to compete and is not a No. 2 driver.

Swapping Carlos Sainz for Lewis Hamilton next year

First of all, when I mention Ferrari’s huge mistake, I’m not talking about hiring Hamilton, but simply about parting ways with Sainz. When Scuderia Ferrari announced Leclerc’s contract extension for 2025, few were surprised. We thought Sainz’s renewal would follow, but instead, Hamilton was chosen as his replacement. It’s possibly one of the most shocking F1 announcements I’ve heard in the last 10 years. Why sign such a driver? Hamilton is arguably one of the best, if not the best, with seven world championships, 103 victories, and 17 years in Formula 1 with teams like McLaren and Mercedes. His resume alone would justify Ferrari’s decision. With Hamilton, Ferrari gains not only a highly talented driver to fine-tune and develop an F1 car but also one of the most marketable drivers in the paddock. There are indeed excellent reasons to pair a Lewis Hamilton with Charles Leclerc, “Il predestinato,” Ferrari’s homegrown talent.

Is this already the end of Sainz’s career?

In leaving Ferrari to join Williams in 2025, Sainz knows he’s stepping away from a team that’s steadily improving, ready to compete for wins. Far more stable and high-performing than in recent years, largely thanks to Fred Vasseur, I think it’s the worst timing to leave such a team. It’s terribly unfortunate for Sainz, as he also brings a level of stability and consistent performance that Leclerc, who can be both outstanding and unpredictable, doesn’t always have. In this sense, I regret Carlos Sainz‘s departure, because beyond being a genuinely great person, he’s missing out on an opportunity to fight for more wins and podiums. Let’s be honest-even if Williams has made constant progress in recent years, they aren’t yet at the front of the field. Ultimately, though, it’s an excellent opportunity for him to help develop a team and lead it to the top. I don’t think this is the end of his career. The 2024 season has been an excellent one for Carlos, showing us race after race that he’s not just a number two. If Ferrari had to decide today, I’m not sure they’d let him go. I hope to see him back on the podiums in a year or two!

Perez hammers the final nail in the coffin of his Formula 1 career at his home GP in Mexico

This article explores Sainz’s career in F1, especially his strong season and his win at the 2024 Mexico GP. Sainz is no longer a number two driver, and I hope he’ll return to the top of the standings in the coming seasons.

Featured image: Pirelli News

Adrien Conges
Adrien Conges
I grew up near Magny-Cours, an old Formula 1 circuit in France so I've been passionate about motorsport and automobiles since childhood. I currently live in Bordeaux, France and I'm still waiting for Ferrari to win a 17th F1 constructors' title.

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