Among the many many hugs, the strongest got here from his father, Carlos. Sainz’s farewell to Ferrari is a high-profile one, very completely different from Kimi Raikkonen’s departure in 2019 or Sebastian Vettel’s a yr later. In each circumstances, 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 perfect world, Ferrari would discipline three automobiles subsequent season, the one option 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 plenty of query marks; 4 years later, he leaves as a stable skilled with the whole lot wanted to safe a spot in a high staff. Probably the most jarring side of Carlos Sainz’s 2024 isn’t a lot his separation from Ferrari, finally justified by the caliber of his substitute, however somewhat 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 lately signed a two-year extension, retaining him in F1 till age 45. This situation pressured Carlos Sainz to affix Williams, a minimum of briefly stepping out of the circle of drivers competing for podiums.
On Sunday at Yas Marina, Carlos saved his feelings about his final day in pink to himself, efficiently concealing them—or so it appeared. “Did I get emotional? Possibly, however you received’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 in all probability by no means know, however I can inform you… sure, there was a second once I bought emotional, however I’m retaining it for myself and my staff.”
“Possibly I’m appearing slightly,” Carlos continued with a smile, “I may need realized it from Brad Pitt this weekend! However actually, I can say that so long as there’s work to be accomplished, the mind doesn’t mean you can be emotional; competitiveness takes over. Nonetheless, there have been moments in the present day once I felt emotional, and happily, you couldn’t see it.”
After the race, throughout his remaining press convention in a Ferrari swimsuit, 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 carry 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 might be one of many favorites at first 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 dedication wanted to at all times push to the utmost. We’ve seen that it’s not simple for any driver in my state of affairs to keep up an excellent stage of focus all year long, however I managed to do it.”
Because it ought to have been, Carlos Sainz concluded his remaining Grand Prix as a Ferrari driver by stepping onto the rostrum. Carlos is conscious that his subsequent trophy might take a very long time to come back, however he has accounted for this risk. “I definitely can’t know what the long run holds for me, nor can I predict how lengthy it’ll take Williams to struggle for a podium place. What I can verify is that I’m extra decided than ever to carry Williams again to the place it belongs. However in the present day, it’s unimaginable to understand how lengthy it’ll take. I do know one in every of my strengths helps a staff obtain higher performances and understanding which instructions to observe.”
In his remaining 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 high positions subsequent yr, a humorous trade 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.”
In the long run, Lando admitted with a smile: “Nicely, it’s one much less formidable and quick opponent; it’s higher that he’s not in a quick car!” Then Norris turned critical once more: “I do know Carlos nicely. Once I began racing in Components 1, he was my teammate, and I do know his price. However he’ll be again. Williams is rising, he’ll carry a whole lot of expertise, and he’ll add one thing vital. You’ll see, he’ll be again with us ahead of you suppose.”
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