Ferrari may have Lewis Hamilton replacement lined up due to c…read more
Ferrari may have already identified a potential replacement for Lewis Hamilton when he eventually retires from Formula 1, and it appears the team has been in discussions with Carlos Sainz. The Spanish driver, who left Ferrari under difficult circumstances, could return to the team after Hamilton’s tenure.
Sainz, who spent several seasons with the Scuderia, completed his final race for Ferrari in Abu Dhabi and quickly transitioned to post-season testing with Williams. Despite his departure, the 30-year-old had a strong relationship with both Ferrari’s management and his teammate, Charles Leclerc. In 2024, Sainz delivered one of his best seasons in F1, securing two Grand Prix victories—his first ever.
Sainz has spoken candidly about his departure, acknowledging the inevitable nature of the situation. On the Beyond The Grid podcast, he revealed that he understood the move almost immediately. He noted that, while it would have been harder to accept if the replacement had been someone else, he understood that Ferrari was offering a seat to Lewis Hamilton. The seven-time world champion is regarded as one of the greatest drivers in F1 history, and he is set to spend the latter part of his career at Ferrari.
Sainz admitted that, with Hamilton’s decision to join Ferrari, it was clear that one of the two current Ferrari drivers would need to make way. In his eyes, it was a natural decision, and he respected the choice for Hamilton to take the opportunity to finish his career with Ferrari, even if it meant his own departure. This mutual understanding highlights the respect Sainz has for Hamilton’s legacy and the realities of Formula 1.
