Carlos Sainz was “wonderful all season” in the way in which he approached his ultimate yr with Ferrari, in line with group principal Fred Vasseur.
Ferrari signed Lewis Hamilton to drive for the group from 2025 onwards, with the announcement of the transfer coming forward of the 2024 season. That meant Sainz knew he was being changed however nonetheless had a full yr to race for Ferrari, and Vasseur is filled with reward for the way in which the Spaniard dealt with the state of affairs to maintain pushing the group ahead.
“You understand in our enterprise that you’re all the time making an attempt to consider the following step and at this time now we have on the manufacturing unit guys that had been targeted on the technique, you will have guys engaged on 2025, now we have additionally some guys engaged on 2026. It’s a state of affairs — it’s not that you’re ending one thing in the future and beginning the opposite day.
“I requested all people, at the very least on observe, to be targeted on 2024 till the tip. I requested the identical of Carlos originally of the season and I believe we did very nicely and he did very nicely. He was wonderful all season, even when he was discussing with different groups. He stayed very skilled, very devoted and he did a superb job.”
Vasseur says he has rapidly turned his consideration to the 2025 season as soon as he was over the frustration of lacking out on the constructors’ championship on the ultimate race in Abu Dhabi final weekend.
“It’s true that I’ll attempt to put 2024 someplace and to consider subsequent yr as a result of I believe now we have a great alternative — we’re bettering collectively and the temper is nice. I believe the sensation contained in the group is that … all of us have the sensation that we are able to do a greater job — together with me — and that is essential if you wish to enhance.”
Sainz was launched by Ferrari to participate in post-season testing for his new group Williams on the Yas Marina Circuit earlier this week, however the Scuderia has to attend a short while longer to run Hamilton for the primary time as he takes half in quite a lot of farewell occasions for Mercedes and its sponsors.