Sainz Counters F1 ‘Shop Window’ Claim as Ferrari Exit Confirmed

Carlos Sainz is determined not to see the 2024 F1 season as an opportunity to promote himself, even after confirming his departure from Ferrari. The Spanish driver recently announced that he will leave the Italian team at the end of the season, and Lewis Hamilton will be Charles Leclerc’s new teammate in 2025.

While Sainz’s future remains uncertain, he rejected the idea of using next season as a showcase for potential new employers. In an interview during Ferrari’s 2024 car launch, Sainz insisted that after nine years in Formula 1 and three remarkable seasons at Ferrari, he had nothing left to prove.

“Honestly, I don’t think I need another season to prove or show anybody what I can do. I was in Formula 1 for nine years, especially the last three years with a team like Ferrari. “Pretty much everyone has seen what I can do,” Saenz said.

The 29-year-old’s reputation has grown during his time at Ferrari and he took his first F1 win at Silverstone in 2022. He shot to fame last season by winning the Singapore race, becoming the only non-Red Bull driver to win the race.

Sainz is rumored to be in close contact with Audi, which will take over Saba’s current team in 2026. In addition, his name is being floated as a possibility to replace Hamilton at Mercedes or join Max Verstappen as a teammate at Red Bull.

Despite the speculation, Sainz is focused on his on-track performance and a strong season in a competitive car. He was optimistic about the new year, hoping to get a better car to shine in the competition.

Sainz’s comments came after 1997 world champion Jacques Villeneuve described Hamilton’s move to Ferrari as a “big loser”, suggesting his position could be at risk in negotiations with other teams.

Although his departure from Ferrari may present challenges, Sainz appears determined to focus on his personal performance and individual results in 2024. Meanwhile, speculation about his future in Formula 1 continues to intensify, with fans and the media eagerly anticipating the twists and turns of Carlos Sainz’s exciting journey in Formula 1.