Carlos Sainz’s dad fires Lewis Hamilton accusation that got his son…read more
Carlos Sainz’s father, Carlos Sr., has publicly accused Lewis Hamilton of playing a key role in his son’s departure from Ferrari. According to Sainz Sr., it was Hamilton who initiated the conversation with Ferrari about joining the team, ultimately leading to Carlos Sainz losing his seat at the Scuderia.
This shift in the F1 driver lineup occurred before the start of last season when it was confirmed that Hamilton had signed with Ferrari for the 2025 season. As a result, Sainz was unexpectedly replaced, joining Williams for the upcoming season. At the time, it was widely reported that Hamilton had activated an exit clause in his Mercedes contract due to the team’s reluctance to offer him a longer-term deal. However, many had speculated that the switch was primarily instigated by Ferrari chairman John Elkann, who was said to have reached out to Hamilton to gauge his interest in moving to Ferrari.
However, Sainz’s father offers a different perspective. He claims that it was actually Hamilton who approached Ferrari himself, prompting a chain of events that led to the driver swap. In an interview with El Cafelito, Carlos Sr. explained that although Ferrari was initially content with Sainz, the opportunity arose because Hamilton expressed interest in joining the team. “It is he who approached Ferrari,” Sainz Sr. said, implying that Hamilton’s proactive move was the catalyst for the subsequent deal. “Perhaps the process could have been clearer, but Ferrari didn’t want it to leak,” he added, suggesting that the team’s secrecy was a factor in the situation remaining unclear for the public.
Despite the abrupt end to his time at Ferrari, Carlos Sainz left on positive terms with the team. Ferrari made sure to show their appreciation by offering a memorable farewell. They allowed Sainz to test for Williams during the Abu Dhabi post-season test and provided a private driving session for both Carlos and his father at Ferrari’s Fiorano circuit. In a touching gesture, Ferrari even invited Carlos Sr. to drive a Formula 1 car at Fiorano, despite his limited experience in motorsport.
Carlos Sr. expressed immense gratitude for the experience, describing it as an unforgettable moment. “They gave him a car, they invited me to drive with him—what Ferrari did for him was fantastic,” he said. The chance to drive a modern F1 car was something Carlos Sr. would never forget, and it made for an incredibly special day with his son. “It was an unbelievable day. We really had good fun, and the experience to drive a Formula One car was unbelievable,” he added.
This rare gesture of goodwill and the shared experience between father and son left a lasting impression on Sainz Sr., further highlighting the respect and appreciation Ferrari had for their former driver.
