Sainz completes first laps with Williams thanks to early release from Ferrari

By Balazs Szabo on 10 Dec 2024, 11:33

Having been granted an early release from Ferrari, Carlos Sainz has completed his first laps with the Grove-based outfit and will continue to rack up mileages during today’s post-season Pirelli tyre test.

After Ferrari announced in February that seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton will replace Carlos Sainz from 2025, the Spaniard has been linked with several outfits.

Following month-long paddock chatter, the talks ended in August when Williams confirmed that they secured the services of the three-time F1 race winner who will join the Grove-based outfit from Ferrari on a two-year agreement with options to extend.

With Ferrari granting Sainz an early release, the Spaniard has managed to have a first taste of the FW46 as he completed a filming day with Williams at the Yas Marina Circuit yesterday before taking part in the Pirelli post-season tyre test today.

Following the Sunday’s season-closing Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Sainz has admitted that while he was feeling emotional on his last laps with Ferrari, he has already switched his focus to Williams, trying to figure out why Ferrari’s SF24 felt quick in certain corners to carry his knowledge over to the Grove-based squad.

“Being very honest with you, I don’t think so. I think, I’m not going to lie, my last laps, as much as I was pushing like hell for this team and trying to, I was already starting to feel things in the car and trying to say, remember how this feels. because tomorrow and Tuesday I need to remember why is this car quick in this corner and why does it feel good?

“Because I know probably what I’m going to find tomorrow and Tuesday needs some margin of improvement in the corners that I was feeling the car. So this just sums up that I’m already looking also ahead.

“I’m extremely motivated for the challenge that I have ahead of me. Today is a day to try and enjoy as much as possible with the team as my last day in red. We still have some days in Maranello coming up, but obviously my competitive mind is already looking forward to Monday and Tuesday and to see how I can make that Williams car faster.”