arrived as a bet, leaves as a certainty

December 9, 2024

16

Among the many many hugs, the strongest got here from his father, Carlos. Sainz’s farewell to Ferrari is a high-profile one, very totally different from Kimi Raikkonen’s departure in 2019 or Sebastian Vettel’s a yr later. In each instances, the story was successfully over, because the stopwatch and even the drivers’ motivations revealed. In Sainz’s case, there’s no signal of decline; his story is one which has merely been interrupted. In a great world, Ferrari would discipline three automobiles subsequent season, the one approach to reconcile the legitimate causes for signing Lewis Hamilton with what the monitor has demonstrated about Sainz’s worth.

However there are solely two automobiles, leaving a bitter aftertaste. In 2021, Carlos arrived in Maranello with two podiums and lots of query marks; 4 years later, he leaves as a strong skilled with all the pieces wanted to safe a spot in a prime staff. Probably the most jarring facet of Carlos Sainz’s 2024 isn’t a lot his separation from Ferrari, finally justified by the caliber of his alternative, however slightly the “no, thanks” responses from Purple Bull, Mercedes, and Aston Martin. These groups most well-liked two younger drivers (Liam Lawson and Kimi Antonelli) and an over-40, Fernando Alonso, who not too long ago signed a two-year extension, conserving him in F1 till age 45. This situation pressured Carlos Sainz to affix Williams, at the least briefly stepping out of the circle of drivers competing for podiums.

On Sunday at Yas Marina, Carlos stored his feelings about his final day in pink to himself, efficiently concealing them—or so it appeared. “Did I get emotional? Possibly, however you gained’t know. Maybe whereas I used to be below the helmet, maybe within the minutes earlier than the beginning, or maybe on the cooldown lap after the checkered flag. You’ll most likely by no means know, however I can inform you… sure, there was a second after I received emotional, however I’m conserving it for myself and my staff.”

“Possibly I’m appearing a bit of,” Carlos continued with a smile, “I might need discovered it from Brad Pitt this weekend! However actually, I can say that so long as there’s work to be performed, the mind doesn’t can help you be emotional; competitiveness takes over. Nonetheless, there have been moments right now after I felt emotional, and fortuitously, you couldn’t see it.”

After the race, throughout his closing press convention in a Ferrari go well with, Sainz managed his feelings completely, reflecting on his time at Maranello. “I really feel very happy with my interval at Ferrari. Over 4 years, I consider I’ve helped convey this staff again to the place it belongs—preventing for world championships. Sadly, we didn’t handle it this yr, however I really feel Ferrari is prepared and will probably be one of many favorites in the beginning of the 2025 season.”

“I’m happy with what I’ve achieved over 4 seasons, however particularly of this final championship. It was mentally very robust for me; it wasn’t simple to maintain the motivation and willpower wanted to all the time push to the utmost. We’ve seen that it’s not simple for any driver in my scenario to keep up a very good degree of focus all year long, however I managed to do it.”

Because it ought to have been, Carlos Sainz concluded his closing Grand Prix as a Ferrari driver by stepping onto the rostrum. Carlos is conscious that his subsequent trophy may take a very long time to come back, however he has accounted for this chance. “I actually can’t know what the long run holds for me, nor can I predict how lengthy it should take Williams to struggle for a podium place. What I can affirm is that I’m extra decided than ever to convey Williams again to the place it belongs. However right now, it’s not possible to understand how lengthy it should take. I do know certainly one of my strengths helps a staff obtain higher performances and understanding which instructions to observe.”

In his closing press convention in pink overalls, Carlos was joined by Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc, two former teammates. After they had been requested if they’d miss Carlos Sainz’s presence within the struggle for prime positions subsequent yr, a humorous change unfolded. “Sure, I’ll miss Carlos,” Lando Norris remarked, solely to be interrupted by Carlos Sainz: “I don’t suppose you’ll miss me; inform the reality, you suppose it’s higher this manner.”

Ultimately, Lando admitted with a smile: “Properly, it’s one much less formidable and quick opponent; it’s higher that he’s not in a quick car!” Then Norris grew to become critical once more: “I do know Carlos properly. Once I began racing in System 1, he was my teammate, and I do know his price. However he’ll be again. Williams is rising, he’ll convey a variety of expertise, and he’ll add one thing essential. You’ll see, he’ll be again with us earlier than you suppose.”