Carlos Sainz admits McLaren years were his best and takes a veiled shot at Ferrari. Carlos Sainz reflects on his Formula 1 career.

After experiencing his first Italian Grand Prix at Monza as a former Ferrari driver, Carlos Sainz delivered words that many interpreted as a sting directed at the Maranello team. Speaking to Dazn Spain, the Spaniard reflected on his career and revealed that his most rewarding period came during his time at McLaren: “My best years were at McLaren.”

Currently, the Williams driver is struggling in the standings with only 16 points to his name. Despite never mentioning Ferrari directly, his reflections seemed like a clear criticism of the Scuderia, with which he spent four seasons before departing at the end of 2024.

Carlos Sainz’s McLaren memories and the contrast with today

Carlos Sainz did not hide the importance of his time at Woking, recalling how decisive those two seasons were for his growth as a Formula 1 driver. “The two intense years at McLaren were perhaps the best of my career,” he explained, underlining the regret of not continuing that journey with the team that today is fighting for the championship with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.

He added: “It was the first place in Formula 1 where I truly felt loved, supported and embraced by everyone. It boosted my self-confidence and allowed me to grow as a driver.” Nostalgia for that atmosphere clearly emerges when compared with the challenges of his current Williams experience, where he is far from the leading positions.

The Spaniard even admitted with a touch of bitterness: “If I had stayed at McLaren, maybe now we would be fighting for a World Championship, but it’s very difficult to predict.” These reflections inevitably sound like a veiled blow aimed at Ferrari, the team he left behind to chase the dream of wearing the red suit.

The Ferrari call and the will to prove himself

Yet Carlos Sainz also recalled the irresistible allure of Ferrari: “When Ferrari calls you, you have to answer.” He spent four seasons in Maranello, with the last one already overshadowed by the knowledge that Lewis Hamilton would replace him in 2025. “Despite that, I wanted to prove to myself and to everyone that I deserved to be there, fighting for podiums and victories,” said the Madrid-born driver, fully aware of the unique opportunity he had in his career.

Today, however, reality paints a different picture. At Monza, the track where Ferrari fans once adored him, Carlos Sainz failed to score points. His partnership with Williams has so far fallen short of expectations, but the Spaniard remains determined to turn things around: “My challenge is to conquer a podium or a victory with this team.”