Outstanding after degradation
Is Ferrari sending the wrong Formula 1 star into the desert?
April 8, 2024, 6:49 p.m
Carlos Sainz drives like he’s unleashed, but has to give way to Lewis Hamilton next year: Is Ferrari sending the wrong guy away? According to the race results, it is 3-0 in the duel with Charles Leclerc. However, there is also clear progress to be observed with the Monegasque.
Carlos Sainz grinned. “I’m in a good mood this year, driving at a high level,” said the Ferrari driver, enjoying the moment. Third place in Japan, again the best of the rest of the Formula 1 world. And above all: once again in front of his teammate Charles Leclerc. Many Scuderia fans are slowly asking themselves the question: Is Ferrari sending the wrong guy away at the end of the year?
Because: While Ferrari recently extended the contract with Leclerc, the traditional team will replace Sainz next year with record world champion Lewis Hamilton. But the demotion seems to have given the Spaniard new impetus. “I have the momentum right now,” said Sainz, who has always made Leclerc look bad so far this season.
“Currently the man in Formula 1” – behind Verstappen
The 29-year-old not only took the Reds’ only win of the season so far in Australia, whenever he was able to drive, the “smooth operator” was quicker to the finish than Leclerc. The score is 3-0 according to the race results, 2-1 in the qualifying duel. And if Sainz hadn’t been out in Saudi Arabia due to an appendix operation, he would probably be ahead of his teammate in the World Cup standings.
“If you leave out the long-time winner Max Verstappen, he is currently the man in form in Formula 1,” writes the specialist portal Motorsport-Total about Sainz, who himself has a simple explanation for his soaring: “We have simply improved the car. ” But Leclerc’s Ferrari has also become faster and is gentler on the sensitive tires. The Monegasque is also said to have what it takes to become a world champion. And yet Sainz steals the show. “I would be lying if I said I was happy about it,” Leclerc said recently.
Return to Red Bull?
And yet next year Leclerc will be allowed to drive the most famous racing car in the world alongside Hamilton, Sainz will be a “future unemployed person,” as he recently joked. But it will almost certainly not come to that, he presents himself too strongly. Three races, three times on the podium. These are strong cover letters. Sainz is “of course talking to a few” teams and is looking at what “the best options are for me and my future,” he said in Suzuka, and hopes that he can sign a new contract with another team “sooner rather than later.” .
There is speculation, among other things, about a return to Red Bull if Sergio Perez has to give way. As a reminder: Sainz managed to get into the premier class with the former sister team Toro Rosso in 2015. After the recent strong performances, Leclerc isn’t the only one who is sure: “Carlos has numerous different options for 2025, and now it’s up to him to make the best choice.” And Ferrari might still be annoyed.