Carlos Sainz has expressed that his “door will always be open” to a possible return to Ferrari in Formula 1 as his impending exit at the end of the season edges closer.
Ferrari negotiating a blockbuster move to acquire Lewis Hamilton to partner incumbent Charles Leclerc from 2025 meant that Sainz was consigned to losing his seat.
The Spaniard, who bagged the sole non-Red Bull win last term, had been in talks over a contract renewal before the news in February that Hamilton will take his place.
But with Hamilton turning 40 prior to his Ferrari chapter beginning, it has been touted that Sainz, 30, could be an option to replace the Briton once he chooses to retire.
So while Sainz’s stint in red will soon come to an end, Ferrari boss Frederic Vasseur hasn’t ruled out a reunion with the Williams-bound driver transpiring down the line.
Asked whether he would like to work with Sainz again at the Italian Grand Prix in September, Vasseur responded: “Yeah, for sure.
“Honestly, I have a huge respect for Carlos and what he did for Ferrari.
“As you know, this call was not an easy one. But he’s doing a very good job. He was able to stay professional in these tough conditions.
“I can see perfectly what he’s bringing to the team, what he brought to the team last year.
“He was part of the recovery last year when we had a tough momentum in the summer.
“I’m more than pleased to have Carlos and I will keep a very good relationship with him.”
Sainz open to Ferrari reunion
Sainz has revealed that he would be open to reviving his relationship with Ferrari, although he has insisted that will not have a bearing on his commitment to Williams.
“For sure, my door will always be open to Ferrari in the future,” Sainz told media including Motorsport Week in Brazil.
“But for the short to medium-term future, my commitment to Williams and that project is not going to change at all.”
Sainz admits 2024 has been ‘difficult’
Meanwhile, Sainz, who has recorded two victories in 2024, has admitted that it has been tough to complete an entire campaign knowing that he will be leaving Ferrari.
“Just giving my absolute best to Ferrari in my last year with them was something I was always going to do,” he stated. “Always going to try and do.”
“Difficult, because to do 24 races knowing you’re leaving at the end of the year, especially knowing I’m a guy who likes to focus more on the medium to long term project, always try to support and help in the direction of the development of the team into the medium to long term, don’t have anything to look forward to.
“Just to focus in the very short term, last year with the team is difficult. I found it in a way challenging for myself.
“Went through some ups and downs, but doesn’t change the fact I was always going to try and do my best for the team, for myself and never say never for the future.
“For the short-to-medium term future, I’m 100% committed to the decision I took in the middle of this year. I actually look forward to that challenge.”
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