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 12 months 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 area three vehicles subsequent season, the one solution 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 stable skilled with all the pieces wanted to safe a spot in a prime crew. Essentially the most jarring side of Carlos Sainz’s 2024 isn’t a lot his separation from Ferrari, finally justified by the caliber of his substitute, however moderately the “no, thanks” responses from Crimson Bull, Mercedes, and Aston Martin. These groups most well-liked two younger drivers (Liam Lawson and Kimi Antonelli) and an over-40, Fernando Alonso, who not too long ago signed a two-year extension, holding him in F1 till age 45. This situation compelled Carlos Sainz to hitch Williams, at the least 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 purple to himself, efficiently concealing them—or so it appeared. “Did I get emotional? Possibly, however you received’t know. Maybe whereas I used to be beneath 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 holding it for myself and my crew.”
“Possibly I’m performing just a little,” Carlos continued with a smile, “I might need realized it from Brad Pitt this weekend! However truthfully, I can say that so long as there’s work to be performed, the mind doesn’t will let you be emotional; competitiveness takes over. Nonetheless, there have been moments in the present day after I felt emotional, and luckily, you couldn’t see it.”
After the race, throughout his last press convention in a Ferrari swimsuit, Sainz managed his feelings completely, reflecting on his time at Maranello. “I really feel very happy with my interval at Ferrari. Over 4 years, I imagine I’ve helped deliver this crew again to the place it belongs—preventing for world championships. Sadly, we didn’t handle it this 12 months, however I really feel Ferrari is prepared and can be one of many favorites at the beginning of the 2025 season.”
“I’m happy with what I’ve achieved over 4 seasons, however particularly of this final championship. It was mentally very robust for me; it wasn’t simple to maintain the motivation and willpower wanted to all the time push to the utmost. We’ve seen that it’s not simple for any driver in my scenario to keep up a very good 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 may take a very long time to come back, however he has accounted for this risk. “I definitely 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 deliver Williams again to the place it belongs. However in the present day, it’s not possible to understand how lengthy it would take. I do know one in every of my strengths helps a crew obtain higher performances and understanding which instructions to observe.”
In his last press convention in purple overalls, Carlos was joined by Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc, two former teammates. After they had been requested if they’d miss Carlos Sainz’s presence within the combat for prime positions subsequent 12 months, 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 manner.”
Ultimately, 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 grew to become severe once more: “I do know Carlos properly. Once I began racing in System 1, he was my teammate, and I do know his price. However he’ll be again. Williams is rising, he’ll deliver loads of expertise, and he’ll add one thing essential. You’ll see, he’ll be again with us ahead of you suppose.”
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