The 2025 season is going to see plenty of change take place at Ferrari as Charles Leclerc welcome a new teammate to Maranello.
Before Carlos Sainz even had a chance to prove what he could do during the 2024 season, he knew he was entering his final season as a Ferrari driver.
Lewis Hamilton is the most successful driver in the history of F1 and next year he’ll be appearing in Ferrari’s iconic red racing overalls for the first time.
Ferrari announced that they had signed Hamilton in February which set off a chain reaction in the driver’s market that will see at least six teams line up with new pairings on the grid next season.
However, it also fueled Sainz to perform to the best of his ability to try and prove to the other manufacturers in the paddock that he deserved a top seat in 2025.
Martin Brundle thinks it’s a travesty Sainz didn’t end up at Mercedes or even Red Bull, but instead he’ll be competing for Williams.
Jolyon Palmer was speaking on the Chequered Flag Podcast and gave his verdict on Sainz’s season.
He believes the Spaniard had his best year in Formula 1 and questions whether Ferrari would make the same choice now based on how this season has played out.
Jolyon Palmer hails Carlos Sainz’s best season in F1 amid Ferrari exit
Palmer was talking about Sainz’s performance at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and said: “Well there was kind of an irony in that Ferrari to win the championship needed the guy that they had ousted to win the race and he gave it a good shot.
“He finished within six seconds of Norris and Sainz has been really good this year.
“I really think this has been one of his best seasons in Formula 1, maybe his best.
“I think on pure performance if the decision wasn’t made at the start of the year he’d probably stay at Ferrari.
READ MORE: Williams driver Carlos Sainz’s life outside F1 from full name, girlfriend and height
“He’s been a professional, he gave it everything to the last and I don’t see that Ferrari lost the championship today I actually think they gave a great account of themselves with both cars.
“Leclerc coming third was a sensational turnaround as well they just couldn’t quite get over the line and that’s no small part down to down to the drivers they both were excellent.”
Carlos Sainz already impressing at Williams with Lewis Hamilton patiently waiting for his Ferrari debut
The 2024 season may have only finished on Sunday, but already Sainz is getting accustomed to life at Williams.
He took part in a short show run on Monday to get used to the car before embarking on a long day of testing on Tuesday.
Sainz’s initial Williams lap times didn’t compare to his speed at Ferrari, but he quickly got into the rhythm of the day.
READ MORE: Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton’s life outside F1 from net worth to family
On the other hand, Hamilton is having to be patient before his first run for Ferrari.
Hamilton wasn’t able to test for Ferrari and has still been completing his final sponsorship obligations for Mercedes.
However, as soon as January rolls around, it’s hard to believe that Ferrari will want to wait around to get the seven-time world champion into one of their cars.
All eyes will be on how well he performs at the opening race in Australia, especially compared to new teammate Charles Leclerc.
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