Among the many many hugs, the strongest got here from his father, Carlos. Sainz’s farewell to Ferrari is a high-profile one, very totally 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 really perfect world, Ferrari would discipline three vehicles subsequent season, the one method to reconcile the legitimate causes for signing Lewis Hamilton with what the monitor has demonstrated about Sainz’s worth.
However there are solely two vehicles, 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 strong skilled with every thing wanted to safe a spot in a high group. Probably the most jarring side of Carlos Sainz’s 2024 isn’t a lot his separation from Ferrari, in the end justified by the caliber of his alternative, 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 not too long ago signed a two-year extension, protecting him in F1 till age 45. This situation compelled Carlos Sainz to affix Williams, a minimum of quickly stepping out of the circle of drivers competing for podiums.
On Sunday at Yas Marina, Carlos stored 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 underneath the helmet, maybe within the minutes earlier than the beginning, or maybe on the cooldown lap after the checkered flag. You’ll most likely by no means know, however I can inform you… sure, there was a second once I bought emotional, however I’m protecting it for myself and my group.”
“Perhaps I’m appearing slightly,” Carlos continued with a smile, “I may need discovered it from Brad Pitt this weekend! However truthfully, I can say that so long as there’s work to be executed, the mind doesn’t mean you can be emotional; competitiveness takes over. Nevertheless, there have been moments in the present day once I felt emotional, and luckily, 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 consider I’ve helped convey 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 probably 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 powerful for me; it wasn’t simple to maintain the motivation and dedication wanted to at all times push to the utmost. We’ve seen that it’s not simple for any driver in my scenario to keep up a great stage 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 come back, 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 would take Williams to combat for a podium place. What I can verify is that I’m extra decided than ever to convey Williams again to the place it belongs. However in the present day, it’s unimaginable to understand how lengthy it would take. I do know one in every of 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 trade unfolded. “Sure, I’ll miss Carlos,” Lando Norris remarked, solely to be interrupted by Carlos Sainz: “I don’t suppose you’ll miss me; inform the reality, you suppose it’s higher this fashion.”
Ultimately, Lando admitted with a smile: “Nicely, 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 properly. After I began racing in Formulation 1, he was my teammate, and I do know his price. However he’ll be again. Williams is rising, he’ll convey plenty of expertise, and he’ll add one thing necessary. You’ll see, he’ll be again with us earlier than you suppose.”
— see video above —
Dec 9, 2024
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