Carlos Sainz has revealed that talks over an extension to his Ferrari Formula 1 deal were on the “right path” until the revelation that Lewis Hamilton will replace him in 2025.
Ferrari announced earlier this month that it had signed Hamilton on a multi-year deal from 2025 to partner Charles Leclerc, who had already penned a long-term contract.
That means Sainz, who had expressed last year that he could envisage concluding his F1 career with Ferrari, has been left without a seat beyond the end of the current season.
The Spaniard has now divulged that discussions over a renewal were progressing up until the moment that Ferrari set its sights on prizing Hamilton away from Mercedes.
“I mean, funnily enough, my future was decided before the first race that I was not going to continue in Ferrari,” he commented.
“Obviously, it came, as I said, unexpectedly, and I was looking forward to signing a new contract with them, and everything looked to be in the right path to go that way, but in the end, it didn’t happen, as you guys know.
“And obviously the situation has changed completely to what I thought we were in October, November last year. The situation now is completely different.”
Sainz has been linked with the Sauber-owned squad ahead of its transition into a works Audi entry in 2026, but he insists that he will take his time to assess the available options.
“I am basically a free agent for ‘25 and I have no idea yet where I’m going to be racing with,” he continued.
“So I need to take my time to decide, as I said before, see all the options that are available and try to pick the best option for me, not only for ‘25, but what’s the best option for me for the next three or four years that I feel like I’m going to give my absolute best to put together a winning project in F1 and see who gives me that best chance.”
He added: “I guess for all the drivers expiring contracts you’re looking at all the options, chatting a bit with all the teams and how other structures and teams are progressing and where they are for sure and then you get to decide further ahead in the year probably.
“But for the moment, I think winter testing is obviously a priority, it’s three days, the only three days of testing we have.
“So if you put your head elsewhere, you’re losing time, no? And then there’ll be plenty of time to sit down and decide.
Sainz has clarified that he has been told he has the complete support of the team as he prepares to complete his fourth and final season in Ferrari colours ahead of his exit.
“On the emotional side to be honest still not a lot because there’s 24 races ahead of us and I guess for sure the last couple of races or the last race would be emotional especially because I will leave behind a great group of people that I’ve worked very well alongside,” Sainz expressed.
“I’ve met some very good human beings in Ferrari and I’ve also met a lot of Tifosi around the world that have made me feel at home right from the beginning, so we will leave that emotional part more towards for the end of the year until then is obviously head down and try to do the best possible job for this team for the last year.
“I know from Fred [Vasseur, Ferrari Team Principal] and company that they’re gonna give me full support that if we are in a championship fight this year we’re gonna push flat out to achieve it together and have a nice year last year together and then the future is long.
“I have plenty of years hopefully in my career ahead of me. So let’s see where the future takes me.”
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