Carlos Sainz Bids Emotional Farewell to Ferrari and Charles Leclerc as He Moves to…….read more
Carlos Sainz has shared an emotional farewell note to his former teammate, Charles Leclerc, and Ferrari as he prepares to join the Williams F1 team for the 2025 season. The Spanish driver’s four-year stint at Ferrari has been filled with remarkable achievements, and his departure marks the end of an important chapter in his career.
During his time with the Scuderia, Sainz made significant contributions to the team, achieving several milestones. He secured his first pole position and his first race victory in 2022, both of which were pivotal moments in his career. Over his tenure, Sainz not only amassed six pole positions and four race wins but also played a crucial role in helping Ferrari finish second in the Constructors’ Championship in 2022 and 2024. The team had finished third in 2023 and fourth in 2021, which highlighted the progress made under his and Leclerc’s leadership.
Despite the fierce competition and intense on-track battles, Sainz and Leclerc maintained a respectful and friendly relationship off the track. Their partnership in trying to restore Ferrari to the pinnacle of Formula 1 was one of the key storylines during their time together. The duo worked together to push the team forward, and even with the occasional on-track rivalry, there was a sense of mutual admiration and camaraderie.
On the eve of his first official day with Williams F1, Sainz took to Instagram to reflect on his time at Ferrari and express his gratitude towards his ex-teammate, Charles Leclerc. He wrote, “It’s been an amazing four years fighting together for Ferrari, @charles_leclerc. Thank you for all the great moments we’ve shared along the way. Wishing you nothing but the best for next year and beyond!”
As Sainz moves on to the next phase of his career with Williams, he will be replaced by Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari for the 2025 season. The switch is a significant one for both parties, with Hamilton bringing a wealth of experience and success to the Scuderia, while Sainz is tasked with helping Williams continue to develop and improve, particularly in the wake of recent struggles.
In addition to Sainz’s farewell note, Alpine F1’s executive advisor, Flavio Briatore, recently offered his thoughts on why the top teams opted not to sign Sainz for their future plans. Briatore suggested that the decision to focus on nurturing younger talent played a crucial role in teams passing on the opportunity to sign Sainz. He emphasized the growing trend in Formula 1, where teams are prioritizing young drivers who can build long-term potential, which has led to a shift in how contracts and team rosters are managed.
Sainz’s move to Williams will certainly add an interesting dynamic to the 2025 season, and his departure from Ferrari signals a new chapter in his career. He leaves behind a lasting legacy at Ferrari, where he helped the team remain competitive in a challenging era. As the 2025 season approaches, both Sainz and Ferrari will be eager to see what the future holds.
