Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz enters the 2024 F1 season facing an uncertain future, with Lewis Hamilton set to replace him in 2025. As Sainz chases his first World Championship, he acknowledges the need to carefully weigh his options beyond Ferrari.
Currently in his fourth year with the fabled Scuderia squad, Sainz has delivered consistency but no titles. With Ferrari confirming Hamilton will partner Charles Leclerc in 2025, Sainz must find a new F1 seat to continue pursuing his ultimate dream.
“I need time to see the whole situation, talk to all the teams and see who’s offering the best chance for me to be world champion in the future,” Sainz said at F1’s preseason Bahrain test.
Despite the looming upheaval, Sainz feels fully prepared for his critical season with Ferrari. He topped testing timesheets on day two after concluding the team’s radical new SF-24 seems a promising evolution.
However, formidable rivals like Red Bull appear blisteringly quick. “The Red Bull looks very quick, but apart from that, nothing else,” Sainz noted, downplaying assumptions but hinting at the Bulls’ pace.
With a wide-open future, Sainz must balance personal ambitions with team dynamics this year. If the stars align, he could cap his Ferrari tenure with an elusive championship.
But Sainz also recognizes decisively choosing his next F1 challenge will shape the remainder of his career. Ultimately, he seeks the best opportunity to complete his mission, no matter how bittersweet leaving Ferrari may be.
The 2024 F1 title race commences in Bahrain from February 29-March 2. Sainz hopes his quest for F1 glory doesn’t end once his Ferrari journey concludes.
