Max Verstappen may have secured his fourth consecutive world championship in 2024, but last year presented him with arguably his greatest challenge yet.
After a commanding start with seven wins in the first ten races, the Dutchman appeared poised to replicate his dominant 2023 campaign. However, the tide began to shift during the European stretch of the calendar, as Red Bull’s rivals closed the performance gap through aggressive development. By mid-season, the once-unassailable RB20 was no longer the strongest car on the grid, forcing Max Verstappen to dig deep to maintain his lead in the championship.
Following the Spanish Grand Prix, Verstappen endured a drought, going ten consecutive races without a victory. During this period, McLaren, Ferrari, and Mercedes capitalized on Red Bull’s relative struggles, intensifying the battle at the front of the field. Despite these setbacks, the Dutchman’s resilience and racecraft shone through as he consistently extracted the maximum possible results, ultimately clinching the Drivers’ Championship by a 63-point margin over Lando Norris.
The turning point of the season came at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, where Verstappen delivered an extraordinary performance. Starting P17 on the grid amidst torrential rain, the Dutchman carved his way through the field with masterful precision, securing a victory that all but guaranteed his championship. The drive drew comparisons to legendary performances by Michael Schumacher and Ayrton Senna, with Eddie Jordan calling it “off the scale.”
Yet, while Verstappen’s Brazilian heroics stood out as one of the most remarkable drives in recent memory, Jolyon Palmer singled out a different performance for his “comeback drive of the season” accolade.
Jolyon Palmer Hails Carlos Sainz’s Australian GP Triumph as the Season’s Best Comeback
Carlos Sainz’s season took an unexpected turn early on when he was sidelined at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix due to appendicitis. Ferrari reserve driver Oliver Bearman was thrust into action as a last-minute replacement. Despite his inexperience with the SF-24, Ollie Bearman impressed by qualifying 11th and finishing seventh, outpacing seasoned competitors like Norris and Hamilton. Jock Clear even likened Ollie Bearman’s debut to Jacques Villeneuve’s legendary first race.
Carlos Sainz, however, made a swift recovery and returned to the cockpit for the Australian Grand Prix just two weeks later. His comeback was nothing short of sensational. Starting on the front row alongside Verstappen, the Spaniard executed a breathtaking overtake around the outside of Turn 11 on lap two to seize the lead. Max Verstappen’s subsequent brake failure forced him to retire, leaving the Spaniard to command the race at the Albert Park circuit in Melbourne and secure his third career victory.
The triumph was a testament to Carlos Sainz’s determination and skill, as he led a Ferrari one-two finish with teammate Charles Leclerc in second. Writing in his column for the F1 website, the British former racing driver, broadcaster and journalist praised Carlos Sainz’s “superb” drive, declaring it the standout comeback performance of the season.
While the Dutchman’s 2024 F1 campaign showcased his ability to overcome adversity, Carlos Sainz’s remarkable return in Australia served as a reminder of the unpredictable and electrifying nature of Formula 1.
“Of course Max could have a claim to best comeback as well, 17th to first isn’t bad. But I’ll give it to a driver that went from DNS to first instead. It’s been a long season and it’s easy to forget that Carlos Sainz missed race two in Jeddah with appendicitis.” – Jolyon Palmer pointed out – “His return in Melbourne was brilliant though as he interloped once again into the latest run of Verstappen victories to drive through the discomfort and seal victory for Ferrari. It was a superb season for Sainz who must have found it tough, knowing he was out of a drive in 2025. This drive encapsulated his battling 2024.” – he added.
What Awaits Carlos Sainz at Williams in 2025?
Carlos Sainz’s remarkable drive to victory in Australia after recovering from appendicitis was impressive enough. Adding to the feat was the knowledge that 2024 would be his last season with Ferrari, as the Spaniard prepared to embark on a new chapter with Williams in 2025.
The 30-year-old will join Alex Albon at the Grove-based team, a move hailed by Guenther Steiner as a game-changer for Williams. Steiner believes the team has struck gold by securing Sainz, an experienced race winner who could be instrumental in pushing them up the grid. With his proven skills and track record, Sainz brings a wealth of knowledge that Williams hopes to leverage in their bid to climb out of the lower ranks.
Williams’ ambitions are lofty, but their recent ninth-place finish in the Constructors’ Championship highlights the scale of the challenge ahead. The team must address significant deficiencies both on and off the track if they hope to capitalize on the arrival of their new driver lineup. Ted Kravitz emphasized this point, suggesting that Williams will need to raise their game significantly to match the caliber of a driver like Sainz, whose pedigree far surpasses that of their recent talents, such as Nicholas Latifi, Logan Sargeant, and Franco Colapinto.
For Sainz, the transition from Ferrari to Williams represents a stark contrast. After years of competing at the sharp end of the grid with a championship-contending team, he now faces the prospect of battling in the midfield—or even the back—of the pack. Yet, Carlos Sainz remains undeterred, viewing the move as a fresh challenge rather than a step backward.
Dismissing concerns about the team’s current struggles, the Spaniard insists that joining Williams is “100%” not a downgrade. Instead, he sees the opportunity to help rebuild one of Formula 1’s most storied teams as a motivating factor. It’s a gamble, no doubt, but one that could pay dividends if Williams can harness the Spaniard’s expertise and leadership to spark a resurgence.
As the 2025 season approaches, a lot of attention will be on how Williams adapts to their new dynamic and whether Carlos Sainz can inject the momentum needed to transform the team’s fortunes. For the former Ferrari driver, it’s a bold leap into the unknown—but one he’s eager to embrace.
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