Carlos Sainz has stated that he has drawn his ‘own conclusions’ after being overlooked by Mercedes and Red Bull last year. The Spanish driver was in talks with both top teams for a seat, due to Ferrari’s decision to replace him with Lewis Hamilton. However, a collaboration with both Mercedes and Red Bull did not materialize. ‘I think people in Formula 1 know very well why certain choices are made,’ says Sainz.
After four seasons in red, Carlos Sainz‘s Ferrari adventure came to an end in late 2024. The Spaniard was replaced by Lewis Hamilton and had to look for new employment. Eventually, the Madrid-born driver ended up at Williams, but not before talking to almost every other team on the grid. Audi, Red Bull, and Mercedes were among the teams in talks with the four-time Grand Prix winner.
Sainz now reveals why he took so long to make his final choice for Williams. “I took until the summer to see if there was a chance at a top team and to assess what the best alternative would be,” Sainz candidly tells Motorsport.com. “I didn’t want to make the wrong choice. I evaluated everything very carefully.”
Why Didn’t a Collaboration with a Top Team Materialize?
Why didn’t a collaboration between Sainz and a top team, such as Mercedes or Red Bull, ultimately come about? “I’ve come to my own conclusions,” the Madrid-born driver cryptically replies. “But I keep them to myself. I think the people in Formula 1 know very well why certain choices are made. I don’t need to explain it in front of a microphone.”
Williams
Although the talks with Mercedes and Red Bull led to nothing, Sainz didn’t sit back and do nothing. “I told myself: if I can’t join a top team, then I’ll help build one. I saw the potential to start a great story at Williams,” the Spaniard continues. “I spoke at length with James (Vowles) about the project he had in mind and I decided to bet on Williams. It seemed to me the best chance to build a top team. Six months later, I can say that I’m even more convinced than when I signed. We’re all working hard to achieve this goal.”
