Carlos Sainz Jr, who secured third place in the recent Sprint Qualifying parc ferme at the Belgian Grand Prix, may not adhere to the team’s strategy following Ferrari’s decision to replace him with Lewis Hamilton next year, according to former Formula 1 champion Jacques Villeneuve. Sainz, who joined Ferrari in 2021 as a replacement for Sebastian Vettel, had previously expressed his intention to spend the remainder of his F1 career with the team. However, Ferrari announced on Thursday that they had reached an agreement with Hamilton for a multi-year deal starting from the 2025 season. As a result, Sainz has become a casualty of Ferrari’s pursuit of Hamilton, with the team having already confirmed the renewal of Charles Leclerc’s contract. Despite achieving the only non-Red Bull victory last season, Sainz is now in search of a new drive, with rumors linking him to a potential move to Sauber, which is set to become Audi. Villeneuve believes that Sainz will no longer be interested in playing by the team’s rules and that his focus will solely be on his own performance and results, which will be crucial for his 2025 contract. Villeneuve also points out the potential conflicts that may arise within Mercedes between George Russell and Hamilton, as well as between Leclerc and Sainz, now that the latter has nothing to lose.
In the world of Formula 1, there is much excitement surrounding the recent news of Lewis Hamilton joining forces with Ferrari. This unexpected partnership between the most successful team in F1 history and the greatest driver of all time has generated a lot of buzz and conversation. It is seen as a positive move for both parties involved. For Ferrari, it presents a fantastic opportunity to enhance their image and reputation. As for Hamilton, it is a bold and strategic decision that will undoubtedly have a significant impact on his career.
With Ferrari securing their driver line-up for 2025, Carlos Sainz, who was previously part of the Red Bull Junior Team, is now looking for a new team. While a return to McLaren is not an option, there is speculation that Mercedes might consider him as a potential successor to Hamilton. However, Spanish newspaper Marca has dismissed the idea of Sainz joining Red Bull alongside current World Champion Max Verstappen. It seems that their past relationship was anything but harmonious, with tensions between the two camps becoming toxic and ultimately leading to Sainz’s departure from the team in 2018.
Despite dismissing rumors of a move to Sauber, which will become a works Audi entry in 2026, Sainz may now be more open to considering such an opportunity. As the search for Hamilton’s successor begins, all eyes will be on the future of Sainz and where he will land in the world of Formula 1.