The 2025 System 1 marketing campaign guarantees to carry vital modifications at Ferrari as Charles Leclerc prepares to welcome a brand new teammate to Maranello. This shift comes because the Scuderia embarks on a daring new chapter with the arrival of the game’s most embellished driver, Lewis Hamilton, who will don Ferrari’s legendary pink racing overalls for the primary time.
For Carlos Sainz, nonetheless, the narrative unfolded otherwise. Lengthy earlier than the 2024 season even started, he was conscious it could be his swan tune with Ferrari. The Spaniard entered the yr figuring out it was his final probability to depart an indelible mark on the group and show his value to different top-tier producers.
Ferrari’s announcement of Hamilton’s signing in February set off a domino impact within the driver market, reshaping lineups throughout the grid. At the least six groups will characteristic new pairings subsequent season, reflecting the seismic impression of Hamilton’s transfer.
The announcement additionally lit a hearth below Carlos Sainz, who approached the season decided to showcase his capabilities and safe a aggressive seat for 2025. Regardless of his greatest efforts, the Spaniard will likely be racing for Williams subsequent yr—a transfer Martin Brundle has described as a “travesty,” arguing that Carlos Sainz’s performances warranted consideration from groups like Mercedes or Pink Bull.
Jolyon Palmer, talking on the *Chequered Flag Podcast*, echoed this sentiment whereas reflecting on Carlos Sainz’s yr. He believes 2024 was the Spaniard’s strongest season in System 1, elevating questions on Ferrari’s resolution to half methods with him.
Jolyon Palmer Applauds Carlos Sainz’s Finest F1 Season Amid Ferrari Departure
Palmer particularly highlighted Sainz’s efficiency at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix as proof of the motive force’s development and resilience. He steered that if Ferrari had the advantage of hindsight, they may rethink their selection, given the outstanding consistency and maturity Sainz displayed all year long.
Because the grid prepares for its shakeup in 2025, Carlos Sainz’s legacy on the Maranello group will undoubtedly stay a subject of debate. Regardless of his exit, he has left an impression not solely on the group but in addition on the broader F1 paddock, with pundits like Palmer and Brundle championing his expertise and questioning whether or not Ferrari’s gamble on change was the suitable name.
“Properly there was type of an irony in that Ferrari to win the championship wanted the man that they’d ousted to win the race and he gave it a very good shot. He completed inside six seconds of Lando Norris and Carlos Sainz has been actually good this yr.” – the British former racing driver, broadcaster and journalist identified – “I actually assume this has been considered one of his greatest seasons in System 1, possibly his greatest. I feel on pure efficiency if the choice wasn’t made in the beginning of the yr he’d most likely keep at Ferrari. He’s been knowledgeable, he gave it every little thing to the final and I don’t see that Ferrari misplaced the championship at the moment I really assume they gave an ideal account of themselves with each automobiles. Leclerc coming third was a sensational turnaround as effectively they only couldn’t fairly recover from the road and that’s no small half right down to right down to the drivers they each have been glorious.” – Jolyon Palmer concluded.
Carlos Sainz Settling in at Williams as Lewis Hamilton Awaits Ferrari Debut
Simply days after the curtain fell on the 2024 System 1 season, Carlos Sainz has already begun adapting to his new surroundings at Williams, whereas Lewis Hamilton stays on standby for his much-anticipated debut with Ferrari.
Carlos Sainz wasted no time transitioning to his new group, collaborating in a short demonstration run on Monday earlier than diving right into a full day of testing on Tuesday. Though his preliminary lap occasions with Williams have been a far cry from the velocity he exhibited at Ferrari, Carlos Sainz shortly discovered his footing and confirmed regular progress all through the session. The testing offered him with priceless perception into his new equipment, setting the stage for what’s prone to be a difficult but pivotal season.
In the meantime, Hamilton’s Ferrari journey is off to a slower begin. The seven-time world champion has but to get behind the wheel of his new automotive as he continues to meet his last sponsorship commitments with Mercedes. Ferrari, eager to maximise their funding within the sport’s most embellished driver, is unlikely to delay Hamilton’s first take a look at session as soon as January arrives.
All eyes will inevitably flip to Hamilton because the grid prepares for the 2025 season opener in Australia on the Albert Park circuit. Followers and pundits alike will likely be desperate to see how the Briton measures up in opposition to his new teammate, Charles Leclerc, in what guarantees to be one of the scrutinized intra-team battles on the grid.
For now, Carlos Sainz is targeted on acclimating to Williams, whereas Lewis Hamilton bides his time, able to make his mark within the iconic pink of Maranello. The contrasting trajectories of those two drivers solely add to the intrigue as System 1 heads right into a season brimming with recent narratives and heightened expectations.