Carlos Sainz believes Ferrari ‘won’t count on me’ for 1 thing after signing Lewis Hamilton

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Carlos Sainz believes Ferrari ‘will not count on me’ to develop the SF-24 after signing seven-time Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes to replace him in 2025.

The Scuderia got a jump on the driver market to lure Hamilton from the Silver Arrows earlier in February. Talks were underway in Maranello to award Sainz a new contract with his terms expiring after the 2024 season. But Hamilton’s availability was too good for Ferrari to refuse.

Hamilton only agreed to a new contract for the 2024 and 2025 seasons with Mercedes back in August. But the Brackley squad allowed the 39-year-old to include a release clause, which he triggered. The Briton saw enough after a second successive winless season to walk away.

Carlos Sainz doubts Ferrari will ‘count on me’ to develop the SF-24

Sainz was the only non-Red Bull driver to win one of the 22 Grand Prix in 2023. But even his defensive triumph at the Singapore GP was not enough to convince Ferrari that he deserved a new deal. So, the 29-year-old will leave the Scuderia at the end of his fourth season in red.

Having lost his seat on the Formula 1 grid for Ferrari, Sainz is now focusing on joining a new project that matches his ambitions. The Spaniard would also prefer to fix his future early to focus on the 2024 season. But Sainz knows Ferrari will not rely on him to develop the SF-24.

He has told AS: “I would like to first solve my future to be clear about where I am going to go and what comes next. Afterwards, I’m sure the focus changes a little because I already know that this season I only have to focus on the now.

“They won’t count on me much to develop the car, and that allows me to focus exclusively on getting the most out of the SF-24 and myself. Now, we talk to everyone, and see what position each team is in and what project fits more with my intentions.”

Carlos Sainz is keen to replace Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes in 2025

Sainz might have several seats to pick from with more than half of the Formula 1 grid out of contract after 2024. Journalist Rebecca Clancy also reports that Sainz is ‘gunning’ to replace Hamilton when the Briton takes his seat for Ferrari as Mercedes need to sign a replacement.

Journalist Lawrence Barretto also claims that Williams are ‘big admirers’ of Sainz with Logan Sargeant only under contract for 2024. While Gazzetta dello Sport names Sainz as an option for Audi as the German brand sets Sauber’s 2025 line-up ahead of taking them over in 2026.

So, while Sainz doubts Ferrari will rely on him, there are plenty of teams who still admire the Madrid native. He also set the overall fastest lap time across Formula 1’s pre-season test this week. Sainz lapped the home of the Bahrain GP in 1:29.921 with Pirelli’s C4 tyres on day two.