Carlos Sainz considers that his long uncertain future has not helped him

Carlos Sainz is still having a strange season. Before it even started, the Spaniard was informed by Frederic Vasseur of the fact that the Team Ferrari would not keep it, due to force majeure. It was indeed necessary to sacrifice the Iberian to make room for Lewis Hamilton, a machine to win on the track and to win outside, particularly on the marketing level. He had to accept this painful news, he who always dreamed of being a Ferrari driver in the long term.

However, this did not seem to disturb the handsome hidalgo too much given his results, he who was the author of a great start to the exercise. “The season was full of ups and downs, like everyone I imagine, but there were some very good moments at the start, with a competitive car that allowed me to fight for many podiums, for a victory (in Melbourne), and I really enjoyed that. I hope we can return to this position as soon as possible.” The record was even perfect, with three podiums in his first three races during rounds 1, 2 and 4, Sainz having missed the third (Saudi Arabian Grand Prix) due to an attack of appendicitis.

Between physical concerns and uncertainties linked to the future for Sainz

It wasn't easy getting back to Japan in time, less than two weeks after his surgery, but he gritted his teeth and did it. His medical concerns then quickly gave way to more psychological disturbances regarding his future. The Spaniard was listed on the market, but neither Red Bull ni Mercedes, his two priorities, did not choose him. Audi courted him, Alpine also late but his best connections were from the start with Williams, at least among his second-rate courtiers.

Very happy to announce I'll be joining @WilliamsRacing next season! Excited about the project and the challenges ahead of us! 💪🏻

It's easy to announce that the year I've come to be united with @WilliamsRacing! Enthusiastic with the project and with the feedback we love for… pic.twitter.com/oUg5IexunR

- Carlos Sainz (@ Carlossainz55) July 29, 2024

Aware of the decisive nature of his choice, and of the fact that a large part of his decision had to be made blindly with 2026 in mind, Carlos Sainz had a few short nights and quite a few discussions with his father Carlos Sainz Sr and his cousin and agent Carlos Onoro. “From a personal point of view, it has not been easy to cope, first of all, with the obligation to miss a race, but above all with all the discussions about my future that are happening in the background » he acknowledged.

An even stronger Sainz in the second half of the season?

“I have said many times that it is not ideal for an athlete to perform at the highest level of their life without knowing where they will be the following year. I believe that there will still be potential in me to seek out (once his future is settled). Considering the circumstances, I think I had a good level of performance with everything that happened. And I continue to have fun every weekend, trying to be grateful and appreciative of the position I'm in. I'm trying to succeed every weekend and approach each race like it's my last, while having to deal with everything that's going on behind the scenes about my future. 

Carlos Sainz ended up making up his mind by choosing Williams, enough to free his mind from all the negotiations of the first part of the season, and to now concentrate on his last ten Grands Prix in the shoes of a Scuderia Ferrari driver. If Carlos believes that he has not been able to perform at 100% since the start of the year due to all the uncertainties hovering over his future, should we therefore consider that he will still perform one level above in second half of the season, now that he knows his starting point for next year?

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