Carlos Sainz has missed out on a potential Formula 1 title shot after Ferrari decided not to renew his contract. They have instead signed seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, an opportunity they couldn’t turn down even though Sainz was delivering.
Sainz will feel he put in the work to bring Ferrari back to the top without seeing the full rewards. When he joined in 2021, they had just finished sixth in the championship – their worst showing since 1980.
By his final year, they were on the precipice of the title. Ferrari won five races and accumulated a grid-high 22 podiums, contributing to their haul of 652 points.
That left them just 14 short of eventual champions McLaren. While the margin was agonising, it also underlines Ferrari’s 2025 prospects.
This year’s F1 cars are simply upgraded versions of their predecessors, with the regulations largely stagnant. That suits teams who enjoyed a strong 2024.
The question is whether Hamilton can raise Ferrari’s ceiling. He’s the most successful driver in the sport’s history, but his poor performances last season have raised fears that he’s in decline at the age of 40.
Carlos Sainz says George Russell could win 2025 F1 title – but not Lewis Hamilton
Speaking to SoyMotor, Sainz was asked for his thoughts on this year’s title fight. Driving for Williams alongside Alex Albon, he’ll be a spectator.
Max Verstappen is looking to match Michael Schumacher by winning five in a row. However, Lando Norris is widely considered the favourite after McLaren’s constructors’ triumph.
Charles Leclerc finished just 18 points behind Norris last season and will look to sustain a title bid over a full season for the first time in his career. Sainz has partnered all three drivers, and sees them as the main contenders.
But he also thinks George Russell is fast enough to be in the conversation if Mercedes deliver an improved package. It’s noteworthy that Hamilton wasn’t in his thoughts.
“I don’t know [who’s going to win the championship this year],” he said. “I think it will be among those first three you have said [Verstappen, Norris, Leclerc].
“If Mercedes make a good car I would put Russell in too. I think he is at a very good level. Any of those can beat each other this year.”
Lewis Hamilton already ahead of Charles Leclerc in one area, Anthony Davidson says
1996 world champion Damon Hill says Hamilton has more natural talent than Verstappen. But he can still showcase that innate skill when he’s seemingly uncomfortable in this generation of cars?
Sainz may feel that Hamilton needs a season to adapt to Ferrari after 12 years at Mercedes. That said, he outscored Leclerc by five points back in 2021.
Anthony Davidson says Hamilton is ‘probably better’ than Leclerc on a Sunday because of his greater experience. Only Fernando Alonso (401) can better his tally of 356 starts.
Davidson thinks Hamilton’s tyre management should give him the edge over his new teammate. He pointed out that, while he struggled in qualifying in 2024, he did show flashes of his best form in the Grand Prix.
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