Although Carlos Sainz declared he does not care who his teammate is, he admitted partnering with seven-time Formula 1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton would be a learning experience.
In fact, Sainz says he would also relish the chance to partner Max Verstappen again. The pair were teammates as rookies with Toro Rosso when they burst on the F1 scene in 2015. Since their their fortunes have varied massively.
Verstappen was clearly Red Bull’s ‘chosen’ one when he was promoted to the senior team four races into the 2016 F1 season. Sainz was the other option, but RBR made their choice and Sainz became a much-travelled driver with stints at Renault, McLaren and now Ferrari.
Asked by Express Sport recently, which of the two would he choose as a teammate: Hamilton or Verstappen? Sainz replied: “I’ve already been Max’s team-mate, so I know I would get on well with him and we would have a good relationship.
“I’ve never been team-mates with Lewis, but I guess being a teammate of a seven-time F1 world champion has to be good for your career and you’re probably going to learn. So maybe, just to try something different, I would like Lewis. But honestly, I don’t care. Whoever I have as a team-mate, I’ll embrace it,” insisted the Spaniard.
Will Carlos be a Ferrari driver beyond the end of 2024?
Interesting words from Sainz. Spoken amid an increasingly unclear future at Ferrari for their drivers. Some have the 28-year-old Madridista moving to the new Audi F1 project. While others have Leclerc heading to Mercedes, in what is an early bout of very Silly Season.
However, within his comments are there not-so-subtle messages? First, to Red Bull, the message suggests he is available to back Verstappen which is a brave call, as being the Dutchman’s teammate is akin to F1 career suicide.
The second message would appear to be a heads up, as well, to Mercedes should they be hunting a driver in the near future. Inadvertently or not, Sainz may be saying that he is now up for hire, so to speak. His current contract with Ferrari runs until the end of 2024.
Nevertheless, whatever happens, Sainz is living every race car driver’s dream. Donning the iconic Ferrari overalls. Driving for the greatest team in motorsport history has its perks that no other team can offer. Even if he is not winning weekend in and weekend out.
Sainz added: “I wanted to make it into F1 to win and to manage to win for a team like Ferrari in a place like Silverstone is just incredible. It’s the best moment of my life and career for sure. Monza, Spain and Monaco are the places where I would like to win next with Ferrari.”
Sainz won his one and only F1 race at the 2022 British Grand Prix at Silverstone last year, a victory he will always savour: “That meant the world to me because it’s the thing I’ve been chasing for many, many years since I was 10 years old.”