Carlos Sainz has spoken again about the moment when Scuderia Ferrari signed seven-time Formula 1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton for the 2025 season, a move that ultimately cost him his seat at the Maranello-based team. The Spaniard reflected on how he chose to handle the situation with composure and professionalism during what became his final year driving for Ferrari.
In a decision made even before the 2024 Formula One World Championship began, Scuderia Ferrari secured the services of Lewis Hamilton, signing him on a multi-year deal starting from the 2025 season. This strategic move came at the expense of Carlos Sainz, who found himself without a seat at Ferrari despite still having to complete the entire 2024 campaign alongside his teammate Charles Leclerc.
Carlos Sainz later admitted that, although a part of him felt a strong emotional urge to “destroy Ferrari” in retaliation for the team’s decision, his better nature—what he referred to as his “angel”—ultimately won the internal battle. This enabled him to complete the season with maturity and integrity, rather than letting disappointment affect his performance or attitude.
The Spanish driver revisited these sentiments, explaining how it felt to be effectively cast aside by Ferrari just before the start of the 2024 season. Even though he was essentially a lame-duck driver—continuing to race for a team that had already chosen his replacement—he maintained a high level of performance throughout the year. Despite the emotional and professional challenges, Carlos Sainz completed all 24 Grands Prix of the 2024 season knowing that Lewis Hamilton would be taking his place, yet his level of competitiveness did not drop.
Carlos Sainz managed to win two Grand Prix races during that turbulent season and played a key role in Ferrari’s campaign to fight for the Constructors’ Championship. The Italian team remained in the title hunt until the very last round in Abu Dhabi, where they battled head-to-head with McLaren for the top honors. After the season concluded, Carlos Sainz signed a multi-year deal to continue his Formula 1 career with Williams Racing.
However, the 29-year-old admitted that, in the wake of the announcement, he was briefly tempted to act destructively. Speaking on the High Performance podcast, Carlos Sainz stated that he could understand how a driver with a big ego might be driven to sabotage the team in such circumstances. He acknowledged that some drivers might choose to become political, disruptive, or even act like a “virus” within the team in response to such a situation.
When asked if such thoughts had genuinely crossed his mind, Sainz responded with honesty: “Of course. My demon—because we all have an angel and a demon—was whispering things. That demon was saying: ‘There are so many things I would like to say, do, or change.’” But ultimately, the voice of reason prevailed.
“My angel was stronger in that moment,” he continued. “It kept telling me: ‘No, do not be that kind of person. Be a professional. Be the one who gives everything to this team until the very last race. Do it for all the people within the team who had nothing to do with that decision. They deserve your maximum level of professionalism and a strong season—for the team, for yourself, for everyone. You should be the professional, the good guy, not the one who wants to burn everything down.’”
This introspective confession revealed the internal struggle Carlos Sainz experienced, yet also highlighted the maturity and character he showed during one of the most challenging moments of his Formula 1 career. His approach allowed him to leave Ferrari with dignity and on a high note, proving his value as a top-tier driver not just on the track, but also as a team player and a respected figure in the paddock.
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