Carlos Sainz's Ferrari Farewell: Four Years, Four Wins, And A New Challenge

Carlos Sainz ended his time with Ferrari with mixed emotions after finishing on the podium one last time at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Sunday.

Carlos Sainz Bides Bittersweet Farewell to Ferrari

The Spanish driver finished second behind his former McLaren teammate Lando Norris, with his Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc coming third. On Tuesday, he will begin a new chapter in his career by testing with Williams.

Carlos Sainz's Ferrari Farewell: Four Years, Four Wins, And A New Challenge

“It hasn’t been an easy weekend for me, obviously, knowing it was the last one,” he told reporters, admitting to hiding his emotions.

“I did the best I could to stay focused and to do the maximum that the car could do today, I think. Maybe it was in the helmet. Maybe it was in the 10 minutes prior to a race when I was in the car. Maybe it was the in-lap. Maybe you’ll never know,” he said of where he really felt emotional.

Carlos Sainz's Ferrari Farewell: Four Years, Four Wins, And A New Challenge

Challenges and Excitement for the Future

Sainz is leaving Ferrari after four seasons, during which he won four races, including two this year. He is making way for seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton. When he joined from McLaren, he had two podium finishes, but now he leaves with 27.

Carlos Sainz was in tears watching his Ferrari farewell video 🥺 pic.twitter.com/kYNDTTruQz

— Autosport (@autosport) December 9, 2024

“I knew that was obviously going to be my last race with a group of people that I’ve enjoyed these last four years. The last time that I would jump in a Ferrari car, probably,” he said.

“I tried to remind myself to try and enjoy the race as much as possible and to give the absolute maximum for this team. Jumping out of the car, I already had the bittersweet feeling,” he added.

Carlos Sainz's Ferrari Farewell: Four Years, Four Wins, And A New Challenge

Sainz said he had shown himself and others that he could compete for wins and podiums with the right car. His goal now is to help Williams, a former champion team, return to its past success.

However, he admitted it might take time to get used to his new team, though he is excited and motivated by the challenge.

“I’m not going to lie, my last laps, as much as I was pushing like hell for this team… 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? I know probably what I’m going to find tomorrow and Tuesday needs some margin of improvement in the corners,” he added.