"You are an extraordinary ambassador for the prancing horse": Carlos Sainz sifts through the special Ferrari tribute for him

Former Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz has received a heartful farewell from the Tifosi and the Italian team's fan clubs. The Spanish driver left the Scuderia at the end of the 2024 season which concluded on December 8, after racing for four years with it. The 30-year-old joined the Maranello-based outfit as a replacement for four-time F1 world champion Sebastian Vettel and helped it finish P2 in the Constructors Championship twice in four years.

Sainz achieved milestones with Ferrari such as his first race win and pole position, and ended his tenure with six pole positions and four wins, including the Italian team's sole 2023 win. In a video shared by it on its official X account, the Prancing Horse shared a tribute for the Spaniard by fan clubs:

"Dear Carlos, after four years together, it's difficult to find the right words to express how grateful we are to you. You are an extraordinary ambassador for the Prancing Horse showing the world what it means to fight with heart and determination. Thank you for all your victories in Red, especially in Singapore in 2023, our only red light in an all-blue season.

We wish you the best and to continue your great career and achieve excellent results. We are firmly convinced that this is not a farewell but a 'see you later'. Vas Carlos, and as always, Forza Ferrari."

Sainz will join Alex Albon on the Williams F1 team from the 2025 season on a multi-year deal.

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Williams F1 team boss comments on the reassurances given to Carlos Sainz

Williams F1 team principal James Vowles has said he had given certain reassurances to Carlos Sainz regarding the performance trajectory of the team in the upcoming years. Speaking with Sky F1, the former Mercedes man spoke about sharing the vision for the Grove-based outfit with the four-time race winner:

“What we can provide is this: he knows what we’ve got coming, certainly in ’26, ’27, ’28. We’ve given him some insight into all of that. It’s worth speaking to him over myself. Every time I talk to him, he’s just: ‘Have you thought about this? Should we do this? Where should we go here?’ I think he sees the future potential and that’s what’s driving him.”

Sainz had his first outing in the Williams car during the post-season test in Abu Dhabi earlier this month. The Spanish driver will be key to the British team's success heading into 2026's new engine regulations which could see it move up the order. The 30-year-old finished P5 in the 2024 driver's championship with 290 points, two behind McLaren's Oscar Piastri.