Carlos Sainz’s transition from Ferrari’s iconic purple to a starkly totally different look was on full show throughout System 1’s post-season take a look at in Abu Dhabi. After spending 4 seasons in Ferrari’s distinctive racing overalls, Carlos Sainz donned a brand new outfit as he started a recent chapter with Williams.
The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix practically served as a storybook ending for Carlos Sainz’s time with the Scuderia. It was a race the place he had the possibility to bid farewell as a part of a workforce that might have clinched their first Constructors’ Championship in 16 years. Nonetheless, regardless of Carlos Sainz securing a powerful second-place end and teammate Charles Leclerc additionally reaching the rostrum, it was McLaren that stole the highlight. Lando Norris’s victory sealed McLaren’s first workforce title of the century, leaving Ferrari simply shy of their final purpose.
When the chequered flag fell, it marked not simply the top of the 2024 season but in addition the conclusion of Carlos Sainz’s tenure at Ferrari. His seat at Maranello will now be crammed by Lewis Hamilton, who is ready to hitch the workforce for the upcoming season. But, there was little time for Carlos Sainz to replicate on his 4 years with the Scuderia. Only a day after the season finale, he was again on observe, this time within the colours of his new workforce, Williams, taking part within the post-season take a look at.
Carlos Sainz Begins New Chapter with Williams
On Monday afternoon, Carlos Sainz hit the Abu Dhabi circuit for a solo session forward of the official testing program. Clad in plain white overalls and sporting an unadorned white helmet, he took his first laps within the Williams FW46. The change in atmosphere was a stark distinction to his Ferrari days, however Carlos Sainz’s focus was already locked on the challenges forward.
Reflecting on the transition, Carlos Sainz revealed that his thoughts was on his Williams debut even earlier than crossing the end line for Ferrari. Chatting with the media after the take a look at, Carlos Sainz shared insights into his mindset and the thrill of embarking on a brand new journey together with his new workforce: “I’m not going to lie, my final laps, as a lot as I used to be pushing like hell for this workforce and making an attempt to, I used to be already beginning to really feel issues within the automobile and making an attempt to say, ‘bear in mind how this feels’ – the previous Ferrari driver identified.
“As a result of tomorrow and Tuesday I would like to recollect, why is that this automobile fast on this nook and why does it really feel good? As a result of I do know in all probability what I’m going to search out tomorrow, and Tuesday wants some margin of enchancment within the corners that I used to be feeling the automobile. So this simply sums up that I’m already wanting additionally forward. I’m extraordinarily motivated for the problem that I’ve forward of me. Right this moment is a day to try to get pleasure from as a lot as potential with the workforce as my final day in purple.”
How Carlos Sainz’s Preliminary Williams Laps Examine to His Ferrari Occasions
Motorsport has unveiled new insights into Carlos Sainz’s debut session together with his new workforce, Williams.
In his first run, Sainz accomplished seven laps, recording a greatest time of 1:26.484. Whereas this time is way from indicative of his potential, it highlights a stark distinction to his qualifying efficiency for Ferrari on the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix simply days earlier. Throughout that session, Sainz secured P3 on the grid with a lap time of 1:22.824.
This 3.66-second hole underscores the totally different targets of the post-season take a look at. Even after a full day of working on Tuesday, Sainz’s instances had been unlikely to reflect his Ferrari efficiency, because the session’s main focus was acclimation slightly than outright tempo.
Ferrari Strikes On: Sainz Departs, Hamilton But to Arrive
Carlos Sainz has brazenly acknowledged that Ferrari’s choice to interchange him with Lewis Hamilton was inevitable given the chance to herald the seven-time world champion. Hamilton, who confronted challenges this season, hopes his transfer to Ferrari will rejuvenate his profession and doubtlessly ship an elusive eighth title, constructing on the groundwork laid by Sainz throughout his tenure.
In the meantime, Ferrari stays lively in F1’s post-season take a look at. Nonetheless, Hamilton has not but joined the workforce on observe, as his contract with Mercedes extends till the 12 months’s finish. In his absence, Charles Leclerc is spearheading Ferrari’s efforts within the Pirelli tire take a look at, with Antonio Fuoco stepping in to pilot the second automobile. This session additionally fulfills the regulation requiring groups to allocate seat time to a rookie driver.
Notably, reserve driver Oliver Bearman, who made three F1 appearances in 2024, is ineligible for the rookie slot below the present guidelines. This improvement highlights the fragile stability groups should navigate when complying with these stipulations whereas optimizing their post-season testing applications.
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