Carlos Sainz reflects on Ferrari move and admits he wanted key McLaren engineers to follow him to Maranello

Carlos Sainz has made it clear that he stands by his decision to swap McLaren for Ferrari at the end of the 2020 Formula 1 season. However, while the Spaniard has no regrets about choosing the Scuderia, he has acknowledged that he would gladly have brought some of McLaren’s top engineering talent with him had circumstances allowed.

The move to Ferrari marked a pivotal chapter in Carlos Sainz’s Formula 1 career. Tasked with replacing Sebastian Vettel, Carlos Sainz quickly established himself as a consistent front-runner in red, securing four Grand Prix victories and numerous podium finishes across four seasons. Despite delivering strong results alongside Charles Leclerc, Carlos Sainz was ultimately released at the end of 2024 to make way for seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton.

At the time Carlos Sainz left McLaren, the Woking-based outfit was still considered part of Formula 1’s upper midfield. Few could have predicted just how rapidly the team would return to title-winning form. Following a dramatic development surge beginning in 2023, McLaren re-emerged as a genuine force and went on to secure consecutive Constructors’ Championships in 2024 and 2025.

Carlos Sainz recognised McLaren’s technical strength early on

Speaking about his career decisions, Carlos Sainz indicated that his choice to join Ferrari was driven by a lifelong ambition rather than doubts about McLaren’s potential. He suggested that when Ferrari presents an opportunity, it becomes exceptionally difficult for any driver to turn it down, particularly when wearing red represents a childhood dream.

At the same time, Carlos Sainz admitted that he was fully aware of the strength embedded within McLaren’s technical structure. He explained that even as he departed, he believed the team possessed the leadership, engineering direction and internal culture required to climb to the top of Formula 1 once again. From his perspective, the foundations for McLaren’s resurgence were already in place before he left.

Carlos Sainz highlighted Andrea Stella and technical director Pete Prodromou as two of the standout figures within the organisation. He implied that their expertise, combined with a cohesive team environment, convinced him that McLaren would continue progressing up the competitive order. In fact, he revealed that if regulations had permitted such moves, there were several individuals he would have taken with him to Ferrari without hesitation.

Andrea Stella’s pedigree is well established within the Formula 1 paddock. The Italian engineer previously worked at Ferrari between 2000 and 2014, collaborating with legends like Michael Schumacher, Kimi Räikkönen and Fernando Alonso before playing a central role in McLaren’s revival. His leadership has widely been credited as a cornerstone of McLaren’s recent championship success.

No second thoughts despite McLaren’s championship success

Carlos Sainz has also addressed suggestions that he might feel envious watching McLaren’s rise, particularly as former team-mate Lando Norris fought at the sharp end of the grid while Carlos Sainz endured a transitional period elsewhere. However, the Spaniard made it clear that he views his Ferrari chapter as a success story rather than a missed opportunity.

He pointed to the milestones achieved during his time alongside Charles Leclerc, including his first Formula 1 podiums and maiden Grand Prix victory. Carlos Sainz suggested that had he remained at McLaren during its rebuilding phase, he might have questioned whether turning down Ferrari was a mistake. Instead, he believes the timing of his move aligned perfectly with his career trajectory.

From a broader Formula 1 perspective, Carlos Sainz’s Ferrari stint coincided with a period of fluctuating competitive order. While Ferrari battled inconsistency under the ground-effect regulations, Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz still managed to deliver race wins and regular podium finishes. Meanwhile, McLaren’s dramatic turnaround only materialised after a difficult start to 2023, underlining how unpredictable development cycles can be in modern F1.

Focus shifts to long-term project despite frustration

Now embarking on a new chapter of his career, Carlos Sainz has reportedly expressed frustration at signs of regression during recent winter testing with his current team. Observers noted that he appeared disappointed by missed opportunities to close the gap to Formula 1’s elite outfits. Nevertheless, the Spanish driver understands that major regulation changes in 2026 could reset the competitive landscape once again.

With Lewis Hamilton now partnering Charles Leclerc at Ferrari and McLaren firmly established at the front, Carlos Sainz finds himself navigating a fresh rebuilding process. He has signalled patience regarding the long-term vision of team principal James Vowles, recognising that sustainable success in Formula 1 requires stability, technical clarity and time.

Carlos Sainz’s reflections therefore underline the complexity of career-defining decisions in Formula 1. While he remains convinced that joining Ferrari was the correct move, his admiration for McLaren’s engineering leadership — particularly Andrea Stella — demonstrates how crucial technical continuity and strategic vision are in shaping championship-winning teams.