F1 champion voices sorrow for ‘sacrificed’ Sainz
1978 F1 world champion Mario Andretti has stated he feels sorry for
Carlos Sainz ahead of his exit from the Ferrari team. Ferrari
informed Sainz at the start of the year that he would depart the
squad at the end of the campaign, with seven-time champion Lewis
Hamilton coming on board in his place. Sainz joined Ferrari in 2021
and has won four grands prix during his stint with the Italian
squad. Andretti admitted excitement over the prospect of watching
Hamilton race for Ferrari, but acknowledged Sainz has been dealt a
difficult hand. “It is great to see a driver like Hamilton coming
to Ferrari,” Andretti told La Gazzetta dello Sport . “I am sure
he will bring a lot of knowledge, after a whole career spent
working with British teams, and also a lot of interest from the
fans for this new phase in his life. “On the other hand, however,
I have to say that I feel very sorry for Carlos Sainz, who in
recent years has shown that he can fight at the highest level and
is often on a par with Charles Leclerc. “I think he has been a bit
sacrificed and I am sorry that he has not found a top team for his
future in Formula 1.” Andretti backs new Ferrari F1 line-up
Hamilton will be Leclerc’s fourth full-time team-mate at Ferrari, a
team he linked up with at the start of the 2019 campaign. However,
Hamilton will be by far the most accomplished driver to partner
Leclerc, with over 100 grand prix wins to his name. Andretti has
backed Leclerc to learn from the 30-year-old as they line-up
alongside each other and attempt to return Ferrari to consistent
front-running form. “Everyone experiences things differently and
you would need to know all the details of the deal to know
Leclerc’s position,” Andretti said. “What is certain is that it
will be a big boost for Charles next year to have a champion like
Hamilton by his side. “Next season we will also have a lot of
rookies on track, like Kimi Antonelli making his Mercedes debut at
only 18 years old.”
Carlos Sainz ahead of his exit from the Ferrari team. Ferrari
informed Sainz at the start of the year that he would depart the
squad at the end of the campaign, with seven-time champion Lewis
Hamilton coming on board in his place. Sainz joined Ferrari in 2021
and has won four grands prix during his stint with the Italian
squad. Andretti admitted excitement over the prospect of watching
Hamilton race for Ferrari, but acknowledged Sainz has been dealt a
difficult hand. “It is great to see a driver like Hamilton coming
to Ferrari,” Andretti told La Gazzetta dello Sport . “I am sure
he will bring a lot of knowledge, after a whole career spent
working with British teams, and also a lot of interest from the
fans for this new phase in his life. “On the other hand, however,
I have to say that I feel very sorry for Carlos Sainz, who in
recent years has shown that he can fight at the highest level and
is often on a par with Charles Leclerc. “I think he has been a bit
sacrificed and I am sorry that he has not found a top team for his
future in Formula 1.” Andretti backs new Ferrari F1 line-up
Hamilton will be Leclerc’s fourth full-time team-mate at Ferrari, a
team he linked up with at the start of the 2019 campaign. However,
Hamilton will be by far the most accomplished driver to partner
Leclerc, with over 100 grand prix wins to his name. Andretti has
backed Leclerc to learn from the 30-year-old as they line-up
alongside each other and attempt to return Ferrari to consistent
front-running form. “Everyone experiences things differently and
you would need to know all the details of the deal to know
Leclerc’s position,” Andretti said. “What is certain is that it
will be a big boost for Charles next year to have a champion like
Hamilton by his side. “Next season we will also have a lot of
rookies on track, like Kimi Antonelli making his Mercedes debut at
only 18 years old.”
Fergal Walsh
Go to seatrade maritime