Sainz issues Ferrari F1 return declaration
Carlos Sainz has asserted his door will always remain open to
Ferrari despite his departure at the end of the current season.
Sainz learned prior to the start of the campaign that he would be
leaving the team for 2025, with Lewis Hamilton coming on board as
his replacement. The Spaniard spent several months mulling over his
options and was linked to various projects for next year. Sainz
opted to join Williams and will partner Alex Albon having signed a
multi-year deal with the Grove-based squad. While acknowledging his
eagerness to take on the challenge at Williams, Sainz asserted his
association with Ferrari is not at a definitive close. “My door
will always be open to Ferrari in the future,” Sainz told media
including RacingNews365 . “But for the short to medium-term
future, my commitment to Williams and to that project is not going
to change at all. “Never say never, in the future, but for sure,
for the short to medium-term future, I’m 100% committed to the
decision I took in the middle of this year, and I actually look
forward to that challenge.” Sainz admits to ‘challenging’ final
Ferrari season Sainz learning of his Ferrari exit so early in the
year marked an unusual circumstance for a driver heading to the
exit door. The Spaniard admitted having such a long period before
his exit has added to the challenge of navigating the season.
“Giving my absolute best to Ferrari [during] my last year with them
is something that I was always going to do,” Sainz said. “It’s
difficult to do 24 races knowing you’re leaving at the end of the
year, especially knowing that I’m a guy who likes to focus more on
the medium to long-term projects. “I always try and support and try
to help in the direction of development in the team in the medium
to long-term. “To not have anything to look forward to and to focus
in the very short term with the team is difficult. “I found it
challenging for myself this year and I went through some ups and
downs. That doesn’t change the fact that I was always going to try
and keep my best for the team.”
Ferrari despite his departure at the end of the current season.
Sainz learned prior to the start of the campaign that he would be
leaving the team for 2025, with Lewis Hamilton coming on board as
his replacement. The Spaniard spent several months mulling over his
options and was linked to various projects for next year. Sainz
opted to join Williams and will partner Alex Albon having signed a
multi-year deal with the Grove-based squad. While acknowledging his
eagerness to take on the challenge at Williams, Sainz asserted his
association with Ferrari is not at a definitive close. “My door
will always be open to Ferrari in the future,” Sainz told media
including RacingNews365 . “But for the short to medium-term
future, my commitment to Williams and to that project is not going
to change at all. “Never say never, in the future, but for sure,
for the short to medium-term future, I’m 100% committed to the
decision I took in the middle of this year, and I actually look
forward to that challenge.” Sainz admits to ‘challenging’ final
Ferrari season Sainz learning of his Ferrari exit so early in the
year marked an unusual circumstance for a driver heading to the
exit door. The Spaniard admitted having such a long period before
his exit has added to the challenge of navigating the season.
“Giving my absolute best to Ferrari [during] my last year with them
is something that I was always going to do,” Sainz said. “It’s
difficult to do 24 races knowing you’re leaving at the end of the
year, especially knowing that I’m a guy who likes to focus more on
the medium to long-term projects. “I always try and support and try
to help in the direction of development in the team in the medium
to long-term. “To not have anything to look forward to and to focus
in the very short term with the team is difficult. “I found it
challenging for myself this year and I went through some ups and
downs. That doesn’t change the fact that I was always going to try
and keep my best for the team.”
Fergal Walsh
Go to seatrade maritime