Carlos Sainz’s 2024 Formula 1 season was not an easy one, as the Spaniard already knew before the Championship began that his and Ferrari’s paths would part ways after Abu Dhabi. Starting this season, alongside Charles Leclerc, will be seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton.
Recently, Carlos Sainz Sr., the father of the former Ferrari driver, shared his opinion in an interview during Josep Pedrerol’s podcast, “El Cafelito,” regarding the treatment his son received after Ferrari informed him of their decision not to renew his contract.
The two-time world rally champion stated clearly that the Italian team behaved in the best possible way until the very last day, even organizing a special farewell activity after years of collaboration: “I wouldn’t say they behaved badly. It was a perfect storm of circumstances. Ferrari was happy with Carlos, but the opportunity arose because Hamilton himself created it. He was the one who approached Ferrari. Perhaps the process could have been more transparent, but then it would have leaked.” – he pointed out.
Sainz Sr. also emphasized that what Ferrari did for him and his son as a farewell gift at Maranello is something rarely seen. Ferrari gifted Carlos the F1-75, the car with which he secured his first Formula 1 victory, and additionally, both father and son were allowed to drive two single-seaters for a few laps on the Fiorano track.
“They made a very nice gesture for him. They gave him a car and even invited me to drive a Formula 1 car at Fiorano.”
However, Carlos Sainz Sr. is not the only one who recognizes his son’s significant contribution to Ferrari in recent years. In a brief interview with DAZN, Frédéric Vasseur stated that the Spaniard’s contribution was a “great asset” for Ferrari and predicted success for him in his new chapter with Williams.
