Did Ferrari really do the right thing by sacrificing Carlos Sainz for Lewis Hamilton?

The contrast is obviously striking. On the one hand, Lewis Hamilton, eliminated in Q2 on Saturday and forced to retire on the 18th lap on Sunday, looking defeated. The other, Carlos Sainz, author of the first row in qualifying and especially the victory in the Grand Prix, at the end of a masterfully managed race, just two weeks after having undergone an appendicitis operation.

To support Charles Leclerc in the coming years at Ferrari, Frederic Vasseur and his teams faced a dilemma last summer. Keep Carlos Sainz, or go find another driver. Although he has been generally dominated by the Monegasque since the start of their collaboration, the Madrilenian is nevertheless evolving at an extremely high level, he who had notably been the only driver to deprive Red Bull of a victory last year in F1.

Hamilton, an opportunity not to be missed

In the minds of decision-makers, continuing with Sainz was obviously plausible, even desirable. Carlos himself wanted to extend his adventure in red. In Maranello, we deliberately dragged out the extension of the Madrilenian to stay on the lookout for possible market opportunities which cannot be refused. And when the specter of the possibility of signing Lewis Hamilton presented itself, the reflection did not take long in Maranello!

There is no need to question the merits of such a recruitment, the announcement of the imminent arrival of the seven-time world champion has rightly been described as “the transfer of the century” by numerous publications, including ours. Two months later, should Ferrari regret its choice? On the one hand, Carlos Sainz appears better than ever, and brought home the second Ferrari victory of the Vasseur era. On the other hand, Lewis Hamilton is in the grip of the worst start to the season of his career since 2009, the Englishman having even admitted that 2024 was worse than 2009, while specifying that his teammate George Russell was simply doing a better job than him . So from a sporting point of view, will Ferrari really gain from the change?

It's been a crazy few days which have been filled with a whole range of emotions.

But as you all now know, after an incredible 11 years at Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team, the time has come for me to start a new chapter in my life and I will be joining Scuderia Ferrari in 2025.

IN… pic.twitter.com/ysie0XxAFe

- Lewis Hamilton (@LewisHamilton) February 3, 2024

Certainly, the Briton is one of the best drivers of all time – if not the greatest – but at 39 years old (and therefore 40 next year), does he still have the sacred fire? Beaten 3-0 in qualifying and 2-0 in the race by George Russell since the start of the year, we can obviously ask the question. This would still be to overlook the fact that Lewis has never been the type to transcend himself when the car at his disposal is not competitive enough to play for the win, as in 2022 where he was dominated by Russell. Conversely, it becomes more difficult to beat him when the car becomes capable of winning races and championships.

The arrival of Hamilton, beyond the sportsman

On the other hand, it is important not to judge Carlos Sainz's performances based on emotion. Over the entirety of last season, despite his victory, the Spaniard was beaten 18-10 in qualifying, and finished behind his Monegasque teammate in the championship, despite the numerous headwinds suffered by Charles in 2023. After the GP of Singapore, which he won brilliantly, Sainz for example no longer beat his teammate, neither in the race nor in qualifying, in the last 7 Grands Prix of the year. Would he have performed as well at the start of the season if Ferrari had renewed his contract?

It remains complicated – if not impossible – to compare a Lewis Hamilton at the end of his career with a Carlos Sainz in his prime. Beyond the intrinsic quality of both, it is difficult to imagine the Scuderia having any regrets. The arrival of the native of Stevenage among the reds goes well beyond the sporting aspect. The Ferrari share price on the stock market soared (+9%) in the hours following the announcement of the Briton's arrival, and the impact was worldwide!

🇦🇺What a rollercoaster! I am extremely happy! I felt good in the car right from Lap 1 and brought home the first win of the season. The team deserves this one-two. We did a perfect race, nailed strategy and pit-stops. Let's carry this momentum to Japan!

👉https://t.co/1p32pZKewE pic.twitter.com/HoSP9p92Lc

- Carlos Sainz (@ Carlossainz55) March 24, 2024

Also, to judge the sporting and technical relevance of the arrival of LH44, it is important not to neglect its consequences. By joining Maranello, Lewis sent a strong message, one that he firmly believes in the Ferrari project, and by necessity much less so to that of Mercedes. While Fred Vasseur has brilliantly undertaken a large wave of key recruitments among engineers, Hamilton's aura and his decision to join the project will be considerable support to continue to poach the sharpest minds from this paddock.

According to certain sources, Loïc Serra, performance director at Mercedes, should also come in the Englishman's suitcases to Italy. There is also talk of the potential arrival of important engineers from Red Bull. And the arrival of the English is obviously no stranger to this. Hadn't Adrian Newey himself expressed his regrets at never having collaborated with the seven-time world champion? The decision not to renew Carlos Sainz was as difficult for Ferrari as it was for the Spaniard to accept. But Lewis Hamilton will bring much more than his single touch of the wheel to Maranello…

ALSO READ > With victory in Australia, Carlos Sainz embellishes his CV for 2025