Carlos Sainz's first Williams test: how it stacks up against his Ferrari qualifying lap at Yas Marina

12/10/2024 05:31 PM

Carlos Sainz's transition from Ferrari's iconic red to a starkly different look was on full display during Formula 1's post-season test in Abu Dhabi. After spending four seasons in Ferrari's distinctive racing overalls, Carlos Sainz donned a new outfit as he began a fresh chapter with Williams.

The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix nearly served as a storybook ending for Carlos Sainz's time with the Scuderia. It was a race where he had the chance to bid farewell as part of a team that could have clinched their first Constructors' Championship in 16 years. However, despite Carlos Sainz securing a strong second-place finish and teammate Charles Leclerc also reaching the podium, it was McLaren that stole the spotlight. Lando Norris's victory sealed McLaren's first team title of the century, leaving Ferrari just shy of their ultimate goal.

When the chequered flag fell, it marked not just the end of the 2024 season but also the conclusion of Carlos Sainz's tenure at Ferrari. His seat at Maranello will now be filled by Lewis Hamilton, who is set to join the team for the upcoming season. Yet, there was little time for Carlos Sainz to reflect on his four years with the Scuderia. Just a day after the season finale, he was back on track, this time in the colors of his new team, Williams, participating in the post-season test.

Carlos Sainz Begins New Chapter with Williams

On Monday afternoon, Carlos Sainz hit the Abu Dhabi circuit for a solo session ahead of the official testing program. Clad in plain white overalls and sporting an unadorned white helmet, he took his first laps in the Williams FW46. The change in environment was a stark contrast to his Ferrari days, but Carlos Sainz's focus was already locked on the challenges ahead.

Reflecting on the transition, Carlos Sainz revealed that his mind was on his Williams debut even before crossing the finish line for Ferrari. Speaking to the media after the test, Carlos Sainz shared insights into his mindset and the excitement of embarking on a new journey with his new team: "I'm not going to lie, my last laps, as much as I was pushing like hell for this team and trying to, I was already starting to feel things in the car and trying to say, 'remember how this feels' – the former Ferrari driver pointed out.

"Because tomorrow and Tuesday I need to remember, why is this car quick in this corner and why does it feel good? Because I know probably what I'm going to find tomorrow, and Tuesday needs some margin of improvement in the corners that I was feeling the car. So this just sums up that I'm already looking also ahead. I'm extremely motivated for the challenge that I have ahead of me. Today is a day to try and enjoy as much as possible with the team as my last day in red."

How Carlos Sainz's Initial Williams Laps Compare to His Ferrari Times

Motorsport has unveiled new insights into Carlos Sainz's debut session with his new team, Williams.

In his first run, Sainz completed seven laps, recording a best time of 1:26.484. While this time is far from indicative of his potential, it highlights a stark contrast to his qualifying performance for Ferrari at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix just days earlier. During that session, Sainz secured P3 on the grid with a lap time of 1:22.824.

This 3.66-second gap underscores the different objectives of the post-season test. Even after a full day of running on Tuesday, Sainz's times were unlikely to mirror his Ferrari performance, as the session's primary focus was acclimation rather than outright pace.

Ferrari Moves On: Sainz Departs, Hamilton Yet to Arrive

Carlos Sainz has openly acknowledged that Ferrari's decision to replace him with Lewis Hamilton was inevitable given the opportunity to bring in the seven-time world champion. Hamilton, who faced challenges this season, hopes his move to Ferrari will rejuvenate his career and potentially deliver an elusive eighth title, building on the groundwork laid by Sainz during his tenure.

Meanwhile, Ferrari remains active in F1's post-season test. However, Hamilton has not yet joined the team on track, as his contract with Mercedes extends until the year's end. In his absence, Charles Leclerc is spearheading Ferrari's efforts in the Pirelli tire test, with Antonio Fuoco stepping in to pilot the second car. This session also fulfills the regulation requiring teams to allocate seat time to a rookie driver.

Notably, reserve driver Oliver Bearman, who made three F1 appearances in 2024, is ineligible for the rookie slot under the current rules. This development highlights the delicate balance teams must navigate when complying with these stipulations while optimizing their post-season testing programs.

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