"It would hurt more" - Carlos Sainz makes feeling known on Ferrari possibly winning drivers' title without him after Lewis Hamilton’s arrival

Carlos Sainz revealed that he would feel hurt if Ferrari fought for the Drivers' World Championship in the 2025 season with Lewis Hamilton in his place. He also claims that he has influenced the team's development.

Ferrari will witness a change in their driver lineup for the first time since the 2021 season as Sainz will be replaced by Hamilton. The latter was signed prior to the start of the current season, having used the exit clause in his Mercedes contract. Although the Prancing Horse is still a contender for the Constructors' World Championship, they are far off in the drivers' standings and there is seemingly no way for them to win it.

Discussing his future in an interview, Carlos Sainz revealed that his goal was to win the championship with Ferrari, something they could not achieve despite being strong contenders in 2022.

"I am a driver who loves getting involved in the development stuff, living at Maranello to improve the team," Carlos Sainz told Sky Sports. When I arrived at Ferrari in 2021 my target was to win a championship. We might do it this year in the constructors'," he said.

He also mentioned that it would be hurtful to him if the team battles for the Drivers' Championship in the 2025 season as he has also influenced the team. However, he is excited to join Williams Racing.

"It would hurt more if, next year, they are fighting for the drivers’ title. I will feel like I obviously had a bit of an influence in building this team to be a championship-fighting team, [then] to not be here next year," added Sainz.

"But you turn the page. I can’t wait to be at Williams. It’s just the way things have panned out," he said in conclusion.

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Former F1 driver points out Carlos Sainz's strength over teammate Charles Leclerc

Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc have raced together for four seasons at Ferrari and the latter has finished above his teammate for three of those seasons (including the current one). While the statistics claim that Leclerc might be the better driver amongst the two, former F1 driver Marc Surer pointed out the difference between them.

Surer claimed that Sainz has the ability to adapt to cars quickly, so he can also perform under pressure when the car is not delivering properly. Meanwhile, he stated that Leclerc is quick when the car is working and tuned perfectly.

"Sainz’s strength is he can live with it if the car is not perfect, he can adapt to it, he can deal with it," Surer said. "If the car is good, then Leclerc is incredibly fast. But only then. When the car does what he wants. Then he is often two or three-tenths faster than Sainz – and Sainz doesn’t know why," he said.

"But the car has to do exactly what Leclerc wants, namely turn in well. He is also one of those people who needs a car with a sticky front axle. If the car is not quite perfect, Sainz is faster,” he added.

Carlos Sainz will be partnering Alex Albon at Williams Racing next year. He will also driver for the team in Abu Dhabi, participating in a post-season test.