'I was sad that Sainz has to leave Ferrari for Hamilton'

If it is not a Red Bull Racing driver who wins a Grand Prix, the top prize these days goes to Carlos Sainz. As in Singapore 2023, it was the Spaniard who crossed the line first in Australia. The irony: his Ferrari team have already pushed Sainz aside and will continue with the duo of Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton in 2025. It is a decision that has not been greeted with universal praise.

René Arnoux, for example, who has been active in Formula 1 on behalf of the Scuderia in the past, feels especially sorry for Sainz. The Frenchman would have preferred that the now three-time GP winner be given a new contract and not Lewis Hamilton had been brought in by Ferrari. "I was sad after the announcement about Hamilton last winter," Arnoux told the Gazzetta dello Sport.

Arnoux puts himself in Sainz's shoes

"Because I always put myself in the driver's shoes and I thought about how Carlos would feel. He immediately reacted well, with the right mentality, he didn't give up. Finally, he is a professional and there is no other choice: giving everything is the only thing he can do and finding a new place in a competitive team."

Because of his wins, Sainz is on the list of teams who need a driver. Perhaps it will be Mercedes, maybe Audi or still Aston Martin? Arnoux does not fear Sainz will come up empty-handed in 2025. "I think he will find it [a competitive team]. The season started with headlines 'Hamilton to Ferrari in 2025', but first we have to do 2025," said the Frenchman.