Carlos Sainz admitted a “demon” within almost convinced him to “tear Ferrari apart” after the team dropped him to sign seven-time Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton.
Sainz began the 2024 campaign knowing that it would be his last for the Maranello-based squad, as Hamilton’s decision to leave Mercedes ensured he would be leaving.
Speaking on the High Performance Podcast, the Spaniard has conceded how the news could have led him to impose anarchy inside Ferrari in his final year with the team.
“I understand how a driver with a big ego would maybe just like to tear Ferrari apart that year and maybe become a bit political or become a bit of an infection inside the team,” he said.
“My demon – we all have an angel and a demon – and the demon was like, ‘There are so many things I would like to say or do or change.”
That said, he revealed how the “angel” within him took over pretty quickly.
“But my angel was more powerful at that time and said, ‘No, don’t be that guy, be the professional guy, be the guy that’s just going to give absolutely everything until the last race for this team, and give everyone that has nothing to do with that decision.'”
Sainz ‘owed’ Ferrari maximum effort
Sainz’s change of heart culminated in a campaign that almost saw him contribute to Ferrari clinching the Constructors’ title as it ended up 14 points behind McLaren.
This was crucial for Sainz’s own career as well. His stellar performances on track, including two wins in Australia and Mexico, saw his stock rise within the paddock.
Having had several teams interested in his signature, James Vowles lapped him up and signed Sainz to his long-term rebuild at Williams with incumbent Alex Albon.
“I owe them my maximum professional level and a good year for the team, for myself, for everyone,” he added.
“I’m going to be the professional guy, the good guy, not the one that wants to set this place on fire.”
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