Ferrari boss Frederic Vasseur hasn’t dismissed the possibility that Carlos Sainz could return to the team for a second spell in Formula 1 once Lewis Hamilton departs.
Sainz was hoping to earn an extension to his deal when he was told prior to the previous season even commencing that Ferrari had chosen to sign Hamilton for 2025.
With incumbent Charles Leclerc retaining a long-term renewal, Sainz is the one who has had to vacate his seat to allow Ferrari to bring in the seven-time F1 champion.
But with Hamilton turning 40 before his venture with the Italian marque begins, Ferrari is poised to require a replacement at some stage during the next regulation era.
Ferrari prospect Oliver Bearman, who will embark on his debut F1 season with Haas in 2025, has been earmarked as the leading contender to succeed his compatriot.
However, Vasseur has admitted in the past that he would be open to working with Sainz once again and he hasn’t ruled out a reunion being on the cards down the line.
“Of course. We have already talked a couple of times about this,” Vasseur told DAZN.
“This is a very small world. There are only 10 teams and only six or seven top drivers.
“You never know what is going to happen in the future, but most of us – both Carlos on his side and us on our side – have to focus on our projects.
“We don’t know what will happen in 2027, 2028, 2029…”
Vasseur heralds Sainz commitment
Sainz bagging nine podiums, including two victories, in his last campaign with Ferrari wasn’t enough to win the Constructors’ title as the team missed out to McLaren.
Nevertheless, Vasseur praised how Sainz remained devoted to the Maranello-based squad until the end, despite his long-term prospects being elsewhere at Williams.
“I asked everybody, at least on track, to be focused on 2024 until the end and I asked the same to Carlos beginning of the season and I think we did very well and he did very well,” the Frenchman told media including Motorsport Week.
“He was amazing all the season even when he was discussing with other teams that he stayed very professional, very dedicated and he did a brilliant job.”
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