Sainz 'at peace' with top-team snubs but still baffled by decisions
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Carlos Sainz says he's 'come to peace' with being overlooked by Red Bull and Mercedes for 2025, although the perplexing nature of their decisions continues to baffle him.
After Ferrari announced last winter that Lewis Hamilton would join the Scuderia and replace Sainz, the Spaniard's credentials as a fast, reliable and intelligent driver made him a hot commodity in the driver market.
However, despite his reputation and track record, neither Red Bull nor Mercedes opened their doors to the Spaniard.
It was speculated that Red Bull was fearful of an inner team conflict developing between Sainz and Max Verstappen, as their bitter rivalry from their days at Toro Rosso remains a point of contention.
Meanwhile, Mercedes opted for 18-year-old prodigy Kimi Antonelli, favoring youth and long-term potential over Sainz's proven track record.
Sainz admitted that the rejections initially stung, but he has since come to terms with the situation.
"I have definitely come to peace. I am a true believer that, if I don't go there, it's because life doesn't want me to," he told Sky Sports F1.
"It's because something else is coming that will turn out to be good.
"It hurt at the time. We all have egos. I have a driver ego. I couldn't understand it, at the time. I still cannot understand certain choices that people have done."
Sainz's career has been defined by resilience and adaptability. From his early days at Toro Rosso as part of Red Bull's junior program to establishing himself as a dependable midfield contender at Renault and then as a front-runner with McLaren, Sainz has repeatedly proven his worth.
His move to Ferrari in 2021 marked the high point of his career, where he quickly demonstrated his ability to match – and occasionally outperform – teammate Charles Leclerc.
Sainz's four career wins, including two this season – in Australia and in Mexico City, showcase his ability to capitalize on opportunities, especially in challenging conditions.
Yet, it seems his calculated driving style and measured aggression were not enough to convince Red Bull and Mercedes.
Faced with limited options, Sainz has chosen to spearhead Williams' resurgence over joining teams like Audi or Alpine.
For Williams, securing a proven race winner of Sainz's caliber is a major coup. The team has shown signs of improvement under team principal James Vowles, and Sainz's experience and leadership could be pivotal in transforming the once-dominant team into a competitive force again.
Sainz views this new chapter with optimism and determination.
"It creates more of a challenge in me, and makes me more excited for Williams," he said.
"Williams invested in me, they have backed me from the beginning, they came to me a full year ago. It makes me excited.
"I want to give back to them what they gave to me. It gives me strength. I can't wait to go and build something good."
Sainz now has the opportunity to build a legacy beyond race wins – transforming Williams into a competitive entity could cement his place in the sport's history.
The Spaniard remains focused on the road ahead, eager to repay Williams' faith and embrace the challenge.
Whether this chapter of his career proves to be one of redemption or a missed opportunity for F1's top teams, one thing is certain: Carlos Sainz isn't done fighting.
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