Damon Hill's one-word response to present received by Carlos Sainz amid Ferrari exit

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Carlos Sainz has officially departed Ferrari to join Williams as their new driver. With his contract at Ferrari expiring at the end of the year, Carlos Sainz's transition to Williams has now commenced in earnest.

The confirmation came as Sainz updated his social media bios, signaling the end of his time with the Scuderia. He already made his first appearance for Williams during the post-season test in Abu Dhabi, having received clearance from Ferrari to participate. At the test, Carlos Sainz donned plain white overalls due to sponsorship conflicts, but he'll officially suit up in Williams colors for the F175 launch event in February. The team has extended a warm welcome to their latest recruit.

Despite the outward cordiality, there's an undercurrent of disappointment surrounding Carlos Sainz's departure. Having achieved four Grand Prix victories and consistently holding his own against Charles Leclerc, widely regarded as one of the most talented drivers on the grid, Carlos Sainz finds himself out of the Maranello team’s plans for the next years.

What stings more is that the Spanish driver couldn't secure a seat with another top team. His father has publicly expressed frustration, questioning why Mercedes opted for rookie Kimi Antonelli over an experienced and proven driver like his son.

Ultimately, Carlos Sainz's main obstacle was not being Lewis Hamilton. Ferrari's decision to replace him with the seven-time world champion underscores their determination to end their long-standing title drought. While the split appears amicable on the surface, it may profoundly shape Carlos Sainz's motorsport trajectory.

Damon Hill Amazed by Ferrari's Farewell Gesture for Sainz
Ferrari ensured that Sainz's send-off was far from lackluster. Beyond the customary farewells in Abu Dhabi, the team went above and beyond to honor their departing driver.

In a heartfelt gesture, Ferrari invited the Spaniard and his father to their iconic Fiorano test track. There, both were given the opportunity to drive Ferrari F1 machinery, with Charles Leclerc also present to share in the moment. The highlight, however, was Ferrari's decision to gift Carlos Sainz their 2022 F1-75 car. This machine holds special significance for Sainz, as it was the car in which he achieved his maiden Grand Prix victory at Silverstone in 2022.

The Instagram account @formula.room shared the news, prompting 1996 world champion Damon Hill to react with a single word: "Wow." The gesture stands as a testament to the mutual respect between Carlos Sainz and Ferrari, despite the decision to part ways.

Carlos Sainz's Stellar 2024 Performance in Australia
While Ferrari's focus has shifted to Lewis Hamilton, Carlos Sainz's resilience and determination remain undeniable. His drive to victory in Australia during the 2024 season stands out as one of the year's finest performances. Jolyon Palmer even ranked it above Max Verstappen's incredible 17th-to-1st comeback in Brazil.

What made the Spaniard’s achievement so remarkable was the context: just two weeks earlier, he had undergone an appendectomy. Overcoming such a challenge to triumph underlines his exceptional spirit and commitment.

Charles Leclerc's Tribute to Carlos Sainz
Carlos Sainz's relationship with his Maranello teammate was one of mutual respect and intense competition. The Monegasque driver himself has acknowledged that their partnership pushed him to elevate his game. While occasional tensions arose, they were handled professionally, with Charles Leclerc even privately apologizing when he crossed a line.

As Carlos Sainz moves on to Williams for the 2025 Formula 1 campaign and Ferrari places its hopes in Lewis Hamilton, the Maranello team's decision reflects their desperation to break their championship drought, having last won the drivers' title in 2007 and the constructors' in 2008. Whether Carlos Sainz can carve a new path to success at Williams remains to be seen, but his talent and determination are beyond question.

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