Lewis Hamilton’s decision to join the Italian powerhouses has caused Carlos Sainz to struggle during a “stressful and hard” year, according to his father.
The 30-year-old Spaniard found out in February that he would not be racing for the Scuderia the following season after Hamilton, 39, secured a surprise switch from Mercedes to take his position.
After last winning the Constructors’ Championship back in 200, seven-time world champion Hamilton will team up with Charles Leclerc for the Prancing Horse in 2025 as they attempt to break their lengthy drought without an F1 championship.
After considering his options for a few months and being strongly associated with both Mercedes and Red Bull, Sainz decided to sign a multi-year contract with Williams in August.
Following several months of deliberation and being closely linked to both Mercedes and Red Bull, Sainz ultimately opted to commit to a multi-year deal with Williams in August.
However, the year has been extremely stressful in that there have been many uncertainties. The shock at the start of the year—that Hamilton would take Sainz’s spot at Ferrari—has been difficult and stressful, particularly for my kid, who is the main character.”
Sainz’s Formula One career has probably been at its best during the last 12 months, as triumphs in Singapore and Australia have dealt a significant blow to Red Bull’s hegemony.
Along with his cousin Carlos Onoro, who serves as Sainz Jr.’s manager, his father, who is currently 62, is frequently spotted observing his son from the Ferrari garage.
Even though he has seen some incredible events over the three-time race winner’s career, he still finds it to be a terrifying experience and would even rather jump in a rally car than go through it.
Without a doubt, watching him [is more scary]. I have no discomfort at all when I’m driving! I enjoy it,” he remarked. “When you don’t have control of the situation and you’re just watching from the outside, you suffer more.”
In response to a query on whether he would consider competing in the Dakar Rally with his son in the future, he described why it would be “impossible.”
First of all, I want him to be a driver and he wants to be an F1 driver,” he continued. Furthermore, it’s a difficult undertaking because neither he nor I know how to drive.
“I have no idea how I’ll be when he decides to participate in the Dakar Rally.