Sainz opens up on being replaced at Ferrari F1 beyond 2024

Carlos Sainz has insisted that his sole focus is on ending his Ferrari Formula 1 stint on a high after revealing he was “prepared” for the news that he would be departing.

Ferrari announced last week that it had signed Lewis Hamilton on a multi-year deal from 2025 to partner Charles Leclerc, who had already penned a long-term extension.

That means Sainz, who joined Ferrari in 2021, will be left without a drive beyond this season, although he has been linked with both Mercedes and Sauber ahead of its transition into a works Audi team from 2026.

Speaking to the media for the first time since the bombshell revelation dropped, Sainz said that his camp is in the process of discussing the available options moving into next year.

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“I’m fine, I’m calm, we’re working for the future but above all for that that we have ahead of us, a very important year, my last year with the team and I want to do the best I can. I’m training to prepare as best I can and give everything,” Sainz told Sky Sports.

The conspicuous absence of Sainz’s name from Ferrari’s press release triggered suggestions that he had been left in the dark regarding its successful pursuit of Hamilton.

However, the Spaniard has clarified that he was aware of the latest developments and he is now fixated on delivering a strong last campaign with the Maranello-based squad.

“From the inside I knew and saw things before all of you, I was prepared,” he added. “But I want to think only about this season, about doing my best for Ferrari in this championship.

“I am a driver who every year has become stronger and stronger, I have not taken steps backwards but only forwards in my career and I am continuing to grow.

“This year I will turn 30 but I feel younger and more motivated than ever.

“I know what my value is as a driver and I know that there will be good things in the future but this year I want to do my best with Ferrari.”

Sainz concedes that embarking upon an entire season with a team that he will not be aligned with after this year is an unsettling prospect until the racing action commences.

“Knowing that it will be the last year with a team is not the most normal thing to start a new season but as soon as I put on my helmet in Bahrain and get on the track, you can be sure that I will only think about going as fast as possible,” he addressed.

“And if there is the chance to become World Champion I will try to take it.”