Carlos Sainz has spoken openly about his emotions after receiving the ‘shock’ news that Lewis Hamilton would replace him at Ferrari for the 2025 season, admitting that he was ‘not prepared’ for such a development.
Sainz was preparing to start his fourth season at the Scuderia when Hamilton clinched the bombshell deal, which meant the Spaniard had to balance his efforts on the track and discussions with rival teams to secure a new seat.
He put aside disappointment to put together one of his strongest campaigns to date, which included coming back from appendicitis surgery to win the Australian Grand Prix and secure a pole position and a double win in Mexico.
Speaking in an appearance on the Beyond The Grid podcast, Sainz revealed how Ferrari’s decision to replace him meant he ‘suffered’ during the winter, but believes the process eventually made him a ‘much better driver’. ‘I think at the beginning of the year I was tested more than I had ever been before and life put me in a situation that was not at all comfortable,’ Sainz commented.
I was told that I would not continue with the team I was 99% sure I would continue with that winter. It was a huge shock to my hopes and obviously I did not enjoy that moment. ‘I still trained and prepared for that season, aiming to be ready to win races, to win a championship if the opportunity presented itself, and I went into that year still full of energy, but obviously with this uncomfortable situation and an uncomfortable moment.’
He continued: ‘I remember being very emotional on that Australian Grand Prix podium because my father was there, obviously my manager was there, my girlfriend, everyone who had been there for me. Obviously I was thinking about my mother.
‘They all saw me suffer during the winter. When I say suffering, I don’t mean that I was crying behind closed doors, but I was actually hurt. I was hurt because I did not expect it. I was not prepared for that kind of news. I was in shock for a while.
‘I remember thinking after Australia how lucky I am to have the people around me, who support me and give me the inner strength to get through what was a difficult time. Now, when I think back on it, I’m almost happy, proud that it happened, because it made me a much better driver and a much better athlete in general.’
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