arrived as a big gamble, leaves as a certainty

December 9, 2024

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Among the many many hugs, the strongest got here from his father, Carlos. Sainz’s farewell to Ferrari is a high-profile one, very completely different from Kimi Raikkonen’s departure in 2019 or Sebastian Vettel’s a yr later. In each instances, the story was successfully over, because the stopwatch and even the drivers’ motivations revealed. In Sainz’s case, there’s no signal of decline; his story is one which has merely been interrupted. In a perfect world, Ferrari would discipline three automobiles subsequent season, the one option to reconcile the legitimate causes for signing Lewis Hamilton with what the monitor has demonstrated about Sainz’s worth.

However there are solely two automobiles, leaving a bitter aftertaste. In 2021, Carlos arrived in Maranello with two podiums and lots of query marks; 4 years later, he leaves as a stable skilled with all the things wanted to safe a spot in a high group. Essentially the most jarring facet of Carlos Sainz’s 2024 isn’t a lot his separation from Ferrari, finally justified by the caliber of his substitute, however reasonably the “no, thanks” responses from Pink Bull, Mercedes, and Aston Martin. These groups most popular two younger drivers (Liam Lawson and Kimi Antonelli) and an over-40, Fernando Alonso, who just lately signed a two-year extension, preserving him in F1 till age 45. This situation pressured Carlos Sainz to hitch Williams, a minimum of briefly stepping out of the circle of drivers competing for podiums.

On Sunday at Yas Marina, Carlos saved his feelings about his final day in crimson to himself, efficiently concealing them—or so it appeared. “Did I get emotional? Perhaps, however you received’t know. Maybe whereas I used to be below the helmet, maybe within the minutes earlier than the beginning, or maybe on the cooldown lap after the checkered flag. You’ll in all probability by no means know, however I can inform you… sure, there was a second after I obtained emotional, however I’m preserving it for myself and my group.”

“Perhaps I’m performing slightly,” Carlos continued with a smile, “I may need realized it from Brad Pitt this weekend! However actually, I can say that so long as there’s work to be accomplished, the mind doesn’t can help you be emotional; competitiveness takes over. Nevertheless, there have been moments at the moment after I felt emotional, and fortuitously, you couldn’t see it.”

After the race, throughout his last press convention in a Ferrari go well with, Sainz managed his feelings completely, reflecting on his time at Maranello. “I really feel very pleased with my interval at Ferrari. Over 4 years, I imagine I’ve helped deliver this group again to the place it belongs—preventing for world championships. Sadly, we didn’t handle it this yr, however I really feel Ferrari is prepared and will likely be one of many favorites in the beginning of the 2025 season.”

“I’m pleased with what I’ve achieved over 4 seasons, however particularly of this final championship. It was mentally very robust for me; it wasn’t straightforward to maintain the motivation and willpower wanted to at all times push to the utmost. We’ve seen that it’s not straightforward for any driver in my state of affairs to take care of a great degree of focus all year long, however I managed to do it.”

Because it ought to have been, Carlos Sainz concluded his last Grand Prix as a Ferrari driver by stepping onto the rostrum. Carlos is conscious that his subsequent trophy might take a very long time to return, however he has accounted for this chance. “I actually can’t know what the longer term holds for me, nor can I predict how lengthy it should take Williams to combat for a podium place. What I can verify is that I’m extra decided than ever to deliver Williams again to the place it belongs. However at the moment, it’s not possible to know the way lengthy it should take. I do know one in all my strengths helps a group obtain higher performances and understanding which instructions to observe.”

In his last press convention in crimson overalls, Carlos was joined by Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc, two former teammates. Once they have been requested if they’d miss Carlos Sainz’s presence within the combat for high positions subsequent yr, a humorous change unfolded. “Sure, I’ll miss Carlos,” Lando Norris remarked, solely to be interrupted by Carlos Sainz: “I don’t assume you’ll miss me; inform the reality, you assume it’s higher this fashion.”

In the long run, Lando admitted with a smile: “Properly, it’s one much less formidable and quick opponent; it’s higher that he’s not in a quick car!” Then Norris turned critical once more: “I do know Carlos effectively. Once I began racing in Components 1, he was my teammate, and I do know his value. However he’ll be again. Williams is rising, he’ll deliver numerous expertise, and he’ll add one thing vital. You’ll see, he’ll be again with us prior to you assume.”