arrived as a chance, leaves as a certainty

December 9, 2024

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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 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 super world, Ferrari would subject three vehicles subsequent season, the one technique to reconcile the legitimate causes for signing Lewis Hamilton with what the monitor has demonstrated about Sainz’s worth.

However there are solely two vehicles, 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 strong skilled with every little thing wanted to safe a spot in a prime staff. Essentially the most jarring side of Carlos Sainz’s 2024 isn’t a lot his separation from Ferrari, in the end justified by the caliber of his substitute, however slightly the “no, thanks” responses from Pink 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, holding him in F1 till age 45. This situation compelled Carlos Sainz to hitch Williams, not less than quickly 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? Perhaps, however you received’t know. Maybe whereas I used to be beneath 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 obtained emotional, however I’m holding it for myself and my staff.”

“Perhaps I’m appearing a little bit,” Carlos continued with a smile, “I may need discovered it from Brad Pitt this weekend! However truthfully, I can say that so long as there’s work to be finished, the mind doesn’t can help you be emotional; competitiveness takes over. Nevertheless, there have been moments in the present day after I felt emotional, and happily, 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 pleased with my interval at Ferrari. Over 4 years, I imagine 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 in the beginning of the 2025 season.”

“I’m pleased 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 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 superb stage 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 is going to take Williams to combat for a podium place. What I can affirm is that I’m extra decided than ever to carry Williams again to the place it belongs. However in the present day, it’s unattainable to understand how lengthy it is going to take. I do know one in every of my strengths helps a staff obtain higher performances and understanding which instructions to comply with.”

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

Ultimately, 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 properly. After I began racing in Components 1, he was my teammate, and I do know his value. However he’ll be again. Williams is rising, he’ll carry lots of expertise, and he’ll add one thing vital. You’ll see, he’ll be again with us before you assume.”