Sainz opens up on Ferrari F1 exit: ‘I was not prepared’

Carlos Sainz has opened up on the “hurt’ he experienced after being informed he would be leaving Ferrari at the end of the 2024 season.

Sainz entered the year on an expiring contract but had enjoyed a strong three seasons with the Italian squad.

However, on the eve of the new campaign, Ferrari announced it had reached a multi-year agreement with Lewis Hamilton from 2025, with the seven-time champion partnering Charles Leclerc.

Speaking on the Beyond the Grid podcast, Sainz revealed he was all but sure he would be extending his Ferrari contract before it penned a deal with Hamilton.

“I think at the beginning of the year, I was tested more than I’ve ever been tested before and life put me in a situation that was not comfortable at all,” Sainz said.

“I was told that I was not going to continue with the team that I was 99% sure I was going to continue with going into that winter. 

“It was a massive shock to my hopes and I obviously didn’t enjoy that moment.

“I still trained and I still prepared for that season, targeting to be ready to win races, to win a championship if the opportunity presented itself.

“I went into that year still full of energy, but obviously with this uncomfortable situation and an uncomfortable moment.”

Sainz ‘suffered’ after Ferrari exit news

Sainz won two races during the campaign, the first being an impressive drive in Australia just 16 weeks after he missed Saudi Arabia due to appendicitis.

The Spaniard asserted it was a poignant moment of his career and outlined dealing with his Ferrari exit made him a stronger driver.

“I remember being very emotional on that Australian Grand Prix podium because there was my dad there, there was obviously my manager, my girlfriend, everyone who’s been next to me. I was obviously thinking about my mum.

“They’ve all seen me suffer during the winter. When I say suffer, I don’t mean I was crying behind closed doors, but I was actually hurt. 

“I was hurt because I didn’t expect it. I was not prepared for that kind of news. I was a bit in shock for a while.

“I remember after Australia thinking how lucky I am to have the people that I have around me, supporting me and giving me that inner strength to overcome what was a tough moment. 

“Now when I look back at it, I’m almost happy, proud that it happened, because it made me a much better driver and a much better athlete in general.”

Sainz will race for Williams next season and already took part in his first outing with the team at the post-season test from Abu Dhabi.