Carlos Sainz’s position on a possible Ferrari return following John Elkann’s pointed remarks. Carlos Sainz could return to Ferrari as uncertainty surrounds Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc’s futures.

Ferrari has once again found itself navigating turbulent waters in Formula 1, and the 2025 Sao Paulo Grand Prix may have added another layer of pressure for team principal Fred Vasseur. After a challenging qualifying session, both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc managed to score points in the Sprint Race. However, Sunday’s main Grand Prix delivered a double DNF for the Scuderia, marking the second such occurrence this season after Zandvoort.

This disappointing outcome has seen Ferrari drop to fourth in the Constructors’ Championship, while rising talents like Mercedes rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli celebrated a career-best result, and Max Verstappen staged a remarkable recovery from the pit lane.

Despite being two of the most skilled drivers on the grid, both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc have faced increasing speculation about their Ferrari futures. The Briton hinted at the possibility of leaving Ferrari after a poor qualifying session in Hungary, while Leclerc’s long-standing connection with the team has not prevented rumours about a potential departure.

The tension escalated after Ferrari chairman John Elkann publicly criticised both drivers following the Brazilian Grand Prix, prompting Hamilton and Leclerc to issue official responses on social media. Team principal Fred Vasseur is now left managing the possibility of losing one—or even both—of his drivers and evaluating long-term solutions for the Scuderia.

Carlos Sainz could be back at Ferrari

Amid this uncertainty, reports suggest that Carlos Sainz, currently at Williams, would eagerly return to Ferrari if an opportunity arises. According to the Italian media, Ferrari have explored a hypothetical Carlos Sainz comeback, despite the way his departure was handled when Hamilton replaced him at the start of the 2025 season.

While the Spaniard is fully committed to Williams under the leadership of James Vowles and has contributed to the team’s impressive progress, Ferrari still offers a higher performance ceiling. Lewis Hamilton’s inability to fully replicate Carlos Sainz’s technical feedback behind the scenes has highlighted the Spaniard’s continued value to the team, particularly given the ongoing challenges with the SF-25.

Ferrari’s driver market and potential line-up changes

Both Hamilton and Leclerc hold long-term contracts—Lewis Hamilton has a clause keeping him with Ferrari until the end of 2027, while Leclerc’s deal also secures his position for several more seasons. Nevertheless, Ferrari’s junior program provides other potential replacements, with Haas rookie Oliver Bearman considered the most likely candidate if one of the current drivers departs.

Ferrari insiders remain open to the idea of Carlos Sainz returning, acknowledging the significant impact he made during his time at the Scuderia. Fred Vasseur has privately confirmed that he would consider re-signing the Spaniard. However, whether Ferrari’s position will be more attractive than Williams by the time a seat becomes available is uncertain, given the rapidly evolving F1 driver market expected next year.

With Ferrari’s current challenges and the uncertain futures of Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, the potential for Carlos Sainz to return has become a real topic of discussion within the team. Whether this hypothetical reunion occurs will depend on Ferrari’s competitiveness, timing, and the complex dynamics of the 2026 F1 driver market.