Despite this, Sainz continues to have one goal: to become the F1 World Champion, even in his final year at Maranello.
The groundbreaking news in the world of Formula 1 means that Sainz will be without a job at the end of this season. Although he has not yet confirmed any deals, it is highly likely that he will be picked up by a top F1 team. There is also the possibility of a contract with Audi, who will be joining forces with Sauber in 2026. One could argue that the ultimate prize for Sainz would be a direct swap with Hamilton.
Wherever he ends up, Sainz is fully committed to the Ferrari cause this season. He stated, “My ultimate goal remains the same: I aspire to become the F1 World Champion. However, I acknowledge that it will be extremely challenging, especially when you consider the strength of Red Bull’s car, which appears to be very formidable once again.”
“But I still hope to secure some race victories. I will strive to win for the third consecutive year, as I did in Silverstone in 2022 and Marina Bay in 2023. And, of course, I aim to achieve podium finishes,” Sainz shared with Spanish journalists during a break in Bahrain F1 Testing.
Looking ahead to his immediate future, Sainz added, “I believe my future is quite clear. I know that I will not be at Ferrari in 2025. Therefore, my focus is solely on 2024 and how I can extract the maximum performance from this car in the current year.”
“We will work together to win as many races as possible and be as competitive as we can be. Obviously, I will not be involved in the development of next year’s car since I won’t be driving it, but the positive aspect is that I can fully concentrate on this year’s car and optimize it according to my preferences. I will give my best, and hopefully, things will go well for us,” he expressed.
Regarding his plans for the 2025 F1 season, Sainz disclosed, “I am in discussions with various teams, not just Audi or Mercedes. I am considering all my options to make the right decision for my future.”
Hamilton’s move to Ferrari took the entire F1 world by surprise when it was announced on February 1st, igniting the 2025 edition of the Silly Season. This turn of events even caught Sainz off guard.
The 29-year-old Spaniard admitted, “It was a tough blow because I didn’t see it coming. I was quite confident that I would renew my contract with Ferrari. Up until that point, all the conversations had been positive, and we were convinced that we would continue together.”
“But then everything changed rapidly, and my situation completely transformed. Now I find myself in a completely different position. Nevertheless, I still feel optimistic. I still have the freedom to choose my next move, and I have positioned myself well to make a wise decision.”
“I believe that Lewis joining Ferrari was a great opportunity for both him and the team. I am confident in my abilities and know that I can perform well in another team,” stated Sainz.
During the second day of Bahrain F1 Testing, Ferrari showcased their speed by topping both sessions on Thursday. However, it should be noted that their fastest lap time was achieved with the softest compound Pirelli C4s on the SF24, driven by Leclerc in the morning session. Sainz later set the quickest time in the afternoon.
Sainz is well aware of the threat posed by the Red Bull RB20: “We are uncertain about our chances of winning. We hope to be able to compete with Red Bull in the race using the SF24. They are a formidable opponent, but their strength does not come as a surprise. They started developing this year’s car as early as April. They are clearly the favorites.”
The Ferrari SF24 is likely to be Sainz’s final F1 car in an official capacity (although he is still young enough to make a comeback!). It will also likely be his last season wearing the iconic Red overalls. This will be his fourth season with the Italian team, having previously driven for Toro Rosso, Renault, and McLaren.
According to the Source grandprix247.com