Carlos Sainz has released a public statement following the breaking news that he will be replaced by Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari after the 2024 Formula 1 season.
Having activated a clause in his Mercedes deal, Hamilton was free to seek pastures new at the end of 2024 and the seven-time champion has elected to join the Scuderia.
With Ferrari having announced last week that Charles Leclerc has signed a long-term contract extension, Sainz has been left without a drive beyond the end of this year.
Upon Mercedes and Ferrari confirming Hamilton’s switch on a multi-year basis, Sainz also released a short comment that was posted across his social media platforms.
“Following today’s news, Scuderia Ferrari and myself will part ways at the end of 2024,” the Spaniard’s statement began.
“We still have a long season ahead of us and, like always, I will give my absolute best for the team and for the Tifosi all around the world.
“News about my future will be announced in due course.”
Ferrari’s statement failed to include a mention of Sainz, who had admitted at the end of last season that he could envisage seeing out his F1 career sporting red.
“I am so happy at Ferrari and so happy to be part of this team that, at the moment, I do not see an expiration date,” he told DAZN.
“I have, I hope, many years ahead of me and counting all of them in red would not matter to me.
“My main motivation is to be World Champion. And if I can achieve that with Ferrari, even better. It is what we have to try in 2024 and I think what capacity we have.”
Where Sainz’s future lies will be the topic of heavy debate until the 29-year-old confirms his plans at a later date, with several seats available heading into 2025.
Sainz’s stock remains high in the F1 paddock, having been the only non-Red Bull driver to secure a grand prix win in 2023 when he triumphed from pole position in Singapore.
A swap with Hamilton to Mercedes isn’t out of the question, nor is a move to Sauber, currently branded as Stake, before it transitions into an Audi works outfit in 2026.
The Sainz family has a close connection to Audi, with Sainz Senior registering a fourth success in the illustrious Dakar Rally with the German marque just last month.
Thursday’s news confirms Sainz Jr’s journey with Ferrari will end next year, with his time in scarlet red beginning in 2021 after making the switch from McLaren.
The Spaniard bettered team-mate Charles Leclerc in the standings in his debut season, before he achieved his maiden win at Silverstone in his second Ferrari campaign.
But despite claiming Ferrari’s latest victory, Sainz will not prolong his Ferrari stint with the Maranello squad placing faith in a blockbuster line-up of Leclerc and Hamilton.
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