Carlos Sainz Sr. shares heartfelt message to Ferrari following incredible gesture before son's departure

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Carlos Sainz could have easily turned his departure from Ferrari into a bitter and contentious chapter in his career. After all, he was on the receiving end of one of the most cold-blooded driver decisions in Formula 1 history.

In 2023, Sainz achieved a remarkable feat by being the only driver outside of Red Bull to secure a Grand Prix victory, while also finishing just six points behind his teammate, Charles Leclerc. However, when the time came for contract negotiations, Ferrari informed him that they would not be renewing his deal. Instead, they had been in discussions with Lewis Hamilton and were eager to sign the seven-time world champion.

Though Ferrari would challenge for the title in 2024, finishing a mere 14 points behind McLaren, Sainz found himself in a completely different situation. Now, he’ll be joining a team that finished second-to-last in the Constructors’ Championship. Had he stayed with Ferrari, Sainz could have held legitimate aspirations of competing for the 2025 title. Instead, he faces the possibility of struggling to consistently score points with Williams.

Despite the circumstances, Sainz’s departure was not marked by bitterness. There was an underlying warmth in his farewell, perhaps because he knows that a return to Ferrari one day is still a possibility, and he's doing what he can to preserve that relationship.

Carlos Sainz Sr. expressed deep gratitude to Ferrari for an "incredible" gesture that allowed him to share the track with his son. Just a day after completing his first test with Williams in Abu Dhabi, Sainz was invited by Ferrari to Fiorano, along with his father, for a special parting gift.

Not only was Sainz Sr. allowed to get behind the wheel of one of Ferrari's F1 cars, but he was also able to drive alongside his son on the track. Speaking to talkSPORT in Dakar, Sainz Sr. praised Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur for his "unbelievable" generosity. This heartfelt gesture was just one of several thoughtful presents Sainz received from the Scuderia.

Another significant gift came in the form of the F1-75 car, which Ferrari gave to Sainz to keep. The Spaniard had won his first-ever F1 race in the 2022 British Grand Prix driving that very model, and Damon Hill expressed admiration for the gesture, recognizing its symbolic value in Sainz's F1 journey.

Sainz Sr. expressed that it was a significant experience for him, stating that he truly enjoyed the opportunity, particularly appreciating the car’s power, handling, and braking. He mentioned that being invited by Ferrari to drive alongside his son in a farewell gesture was something truly special. He described the day as unforgettable and highlighted how much fun they had together, emphasizing that driving a modern Formula 1 car was an extraordinary experience.

Carlos Sainz Sr. has maintained a public stance of respect, but privately, he has expressed his frustration regarding his son’s missed opportunity with Mercedes. He believes that Carlos Sainz Jr. deserves a better fate than the one he’s been handed.

Red Bull, hesitant to reunite the 30-year-old with Max Verstappen—his former Toro Rosso teammate—rejected the idea of signing him. Sainz Sr. has a history of tension with Jos Verstappen, and Christian Horner was concerned about a potential repeat of those issues.

Meanwhile, Mercedes made the decision to replace Lewis Hamilton with the untested Kimi Antonelli, a choice that Sainz Sr. finds puzzling. According to Marc Surer, a close friend of Sainz Sr., the veteran driver feels that the decision to hire Antonelli is far from logical.

Adding to his frustration was the reaction to Antonelli’s heavy crash on his debut at Monza in August. Sainz Sr. was shocked by the lenient treatment given to the young driver, feeling that Antonelli was given a “blank check” to damage the car. If Kimi Antonelli struggles in the coming season, Sainz Sr. may find a sense of validation in his disapproval.

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