Carlos Sainz Bows Out of Ferrari with Bittersweet Feelings
A New Chapter Awaits
Carlos Sainz walked through the paddock ahead of the Formula One Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, UAE on Thursday, knowing it would be his last appearance as a Ferrari driver.
A Podium Finish and a New Beginning
Sainz finished second at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, behind former McLaren teammate Lando Norris, with Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc taking third. As he prepares to start a new chapter in his career, Sainz reflected on his time at Ferrari, acknowledging the bittersweet feelings that accompanied his final appearance on the podium.
Emotions in Check
"It hasn’t been an easy weekend for me, obviously, knowing it was the last one," Sainz admitted to reporters, acknowledging that he had been hiding his emotions. "I did the best I could to stay focused and to do the maximum that the car could do today, I think. Maybe it was in the helmet. Maybe it was in the 10 minutes prior to a race when I was in the car. Maybe it was the in-lap. Maybe you’ll never know."
Four Seasons, 27 Podiums
Sainz leaves Ferrari after four seasons, during which he won four races, two of them this year. When he joined from McLaren, he had two podiums; he leaves Ferrari with 27. Sainz acknowledged the impact of his time at Ferrari, saying, "I knew that was obviously going to be my last race with a group of people that I’ve enjoyed these last four years. The last time that I would jump in a Ferrari car, probably."
A New Target
Sainz said he had proven to himself and the world that he could fight for victories and podiums, given the right car, and his target now was to help former champions Williams get back to where they once were. However, he recognised that it might take time to adjust to his new surroundings, even if he was highly motivated by the challenge.
Adjusting to New Surroundings
"I’m not going to lie, my last laps, as much as I was pushing like hell for this team… I was already starting to feel things in the car and trying to say ‘remember how this feels’," Sainz said. "Because tomorrow and Tuesday I need to remember why this car is quick in this corner and why does it feel good? I know probably what I’m going to find tomorrow and Tuesday needs some margin of improvement in the corners."
Conclusion
Carlos Sainz’s departure from Ferrari marks the end of an era for the Spanish driver, but he is eager to start a new chapter in his career with Williams. Despite the bittersweet feelings that accompanied his final appearance on the podium, Sainz is confident in his ability to adapt to his new surroundings and help Williams return to its former glory.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What was Carlos Sainz’s final finish as a Ferrari driver?
A: Sainz finished second at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Q: How many podiums did Carlos Sainz win as a Ferrari driver?
A: Sainz won 27 podiums as a Ferrari driver.
Q: What is Carlos Sainz’s target at Williams?
A: Sainz’s target is to help Williams return to its former glory.
Q: How long has Carlos Sainz been a Ferrari driver?
A: Sainz has been a Ferrari driver for four seasons.