Carlos Sainz makes sad admission after Lewis Hamilton takes his Ferrari…read more
Carlos Sainz has opened up about the emotional challenges he faced after missing out on top-tier Formula 1 opportunities, leading to his eventual move to Williams for the 2024 season. The Spaniard, who has four Grand Prix wins to his name, found himself sidelined as major teams made surprising decisions regarding their driver lineups.
Initially, there was speculation that Sainz could replace Sergio Perez at Red Bull Racing. However, Red Bull chose to extend Perez’s contract, ruling out the possibility of a switch. Additionally, rumors of a direct swap between Sainz and Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes were quashed when Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff decided to promote their development driver, Kimi Antonelli, to the main seat. Talks with Audi about spearheading their 2026 project also fell through, leaving Sainz uncertain about his future in Formula 1.
At one point, the 30-year-old faced the unsettling prospect of being without a seat for the upcoming season. However, his situation took a positive turn in July when Williams confirmed a multi-year deal for Sainz to join their team alongside Alex Albon. This partnership is expected to strengthen the British team’s ambitions under the leadership of James Vowles.
Reflecting on the events, Sainz admitted he was puzzled and hurt by the lack of interest from other teams. In an interview with Sky Sports F1, he said, “It hurt at the time. We all have egos. I have a driver ego, and I couldn’t understand it at the time. I still personally cannot understand certain choices that people have made.”
Despite the initial disappointment, Sainz revealed that the situation has fueled his determination to succeed with Williams. He praised the team for believing in him early on and expressed excitement about the journey ahead. “Williams is the one that has invested in me, that has backed me from the beginning, the ones that came to me a full year ago,” Sainz shared.
He continued, “I want to give back to these guys what they’ve given to me — their trust and belief. It gives me good strength. I cannot wait to go there and, together with them, build something good.”
Sainz’s move to Williams marks a new chapter in his career, where he aims to prove his worth and contribute to the resurgence of one of F1’s most iconic teams.
