Sainz Sr Makes Bold Claim: Hamilton Approached Ferrari for a Move
Carlos Sainz Sr has made an astonishing revelation, claiming that it was Lewis Hamilton who initiated discussions with Ferrari regarding a move, rather than the team pursuing the seven-time world champion.
Hamilton’s move to Ferrari on a multi-year deal ultimately led to Carlos Sainz Jr’s exit from the Maranello-based team at the end of the 2024 season. Despite Sainz Jr’s impressive performances last year, the Spaniard joined Williams on a multi-year contract, marking a fresh start for the 30-year-old.
The announcement of Hamilton’s 2025 transfer to Ferrari came before the start of the 2024 season, giving Sainz Jr ample time to prepare for his departure. As a result, the four-time Grand Prix winner knew that the 2024 season would be his final campaign with Ferrari.
In recognition of his contributions, Ferrari ensured Sainz Jr received a memorable send-off. The team presented him with a brand-new Ferrari road car and allowed his father, Carlos Sainz Sr, to drive a Ferrari Formula 1 car at their private Fiorano circuit. Additionally, Ferrari permitted Sainz Jr to participate in Williams’ post-season test in Abu Dhabi, a gesture rarely extended to departing drivers.
Reflecting on the situation, Sainz Sr explained that he understood Ferrari’s decision to prioritize signing Hamilton over renewing his son’s contract. However, he insisted that it was Hamilton who approached Ferrari, not the other way around.
“I wouldn’t say Ferrari behaved poorly,” Sainz Sr stated during an interview with El Cafelito. “It was a set of circumstances—what you might call a perfect storm. Ferrari was satisfied with Carlos, but the opportunity came about because Hamilton created it.”
Sainz Sr elaborated that Hamilton’s interest in joining Ferrari opened the door for discussions, but the team was cautious about handling the matter discreetly to avoid leaks. “Hamilton approached Ferrari, and the circumstances developed from there. Perhaps the process could have been more transparent, but that risked leaks, and Ferrari wanted to avoid that.”
Despite the decision to replace Sainz Jr, Ferrari made significant efforts to honor the Spaniard’s contributions to the team. “They did something for Carlos that they’ve almost never done for any other driver in their history,” Sainz Sr noted. “They gave him a car and even invited me to Fiorano to drive a Formula 1 car. That was a fantastic gesture.”
Hamilton’s move to Ferrari marks a major shift in the driver market, as the 40-year-old seeks to compete at the front of the grid with the iconic Scuderia. Meanwhile, Sainz Jr begins a new chapter with Williams, a team eager to benefit from his experience and race-winning pedigree.
As one of the most surprising moves in recent F1 history, Hamilton’s transfer and Sainz Jr’s departure underline the dynamic nature of the sport, where opportunities and timing can dramatically alter career trajectories.
