Damon Hill says £184k-a-week F1 driver is ‘basically crying’ amid ‘gut-wrenching’ situation

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Ferrari are enjoying a resurgence in form with two victories in a row in Austin and Mexico City, but it will be a bittersweet feeling for one of their drivers.

Charles Leclerc drove a commanding race at the United States Grand Prix to take his third win of the season in a Ferrari one-two finish.

At the Mexico City Grand Prix, his teammate Carlos Sainz took the top step as he capitalised on his pole position to claim his second win of the year, marking the first time the Spaniard has won multiple races in a season.

Red Bull endured a torrid weekend in Mexico City. Sergio Perez finished last of the classified drivers in 17th, while Max Verstappen received a 20-second time penalty after running Lando Norris off the track twice on lap 10.

The defending champions’ disaster has allowed Ferrari to move into second in the Constructors’ Championship by 25 points. The Maranello squad are now 29 points behind McLaren as they seem to finally have the upper hand with the new floor they introduced in Monza.

However, this improvement on the track will be devastating for Sainz, as come 2025, he will no longer sport the famous red in F1.

Carlos Sainz will be ‘basically crying’ over Ferrari’s form as he will leave the team next year

The Spaniard confirmed his exit from the Maranello outfit even before the first race of the season, as Ferrari confirmed the signing of Lewis Hamilton on a multi-year deal.

Sainz, who earns £184k-a-week, will be making the move to Williams next year to partner Alex Albon in a deal that will see him run with the team until at least 2027. With the Grove-based squad currently sitting eighth in the constructors’ standings with just 17 points, it may feel like a huge step backwards.

Speaking on the Sky Sports F1 coverage before free practice at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, Damon Hill highlighted the ‘gut-wrenching’ situation Sainz finds himself in with Ferrari’s improved performance, as well as the Spaniard himself being at the top of his game at the moment.

“It must be gut-wrenching for him. I mean, going so well now as well and showing what he’s got and to have to give that up,” he said.

“The only consolation is if you going to have to give it up, you’re going to give it up to the seven-time world champion… No, it’s not a consolation, he’s basically crying.”

Red Bull could target Carlos Sainz if Max Verstappen leaves before 2026

Williams team principal James Vowles has made huge changes to the team on the off the track and is planning to push them up the field when the new technical regulations come into effect in 2026.

But despite committing to the project for at least the next few years, Sainz reportedly has an exit clause in his contract that could allow him to leave Williams if he receives an offer from Mercedes or Red Bull.

Sainz could be a target for Red Bull if Verstappen does decide to leave the team before his contract expires in 2028. The Dutchman has been linked with a move away from the Milton Keynes-based outfit since Adrian Newey announced his departure to Aston Martin.

Red Bull are also an admirer of Oscar Piastri and would prove to be a great steal from their rivals McLaren. However, with the Aussie contracted until at least 2026, Zak Brown has insisted his drivers are going nowhere.