Is replacing Sainz the right move for Ferrari?

Sainz's time at Ferrari.

Carlos Sainz is having the best season of his career. Is Ferrari right to replace him for a 40-year old?

The Spaniard knew going into this season it would be his last at Ferrari. Lewis Hamilton’s destiny to be in red and Charles Leclerc’s destiny as Ferrari’s golden boy, both outweighed Sainz’s appeal to the team.

He knows standing on the podium in Mexico, each race might be his last chance to win for a while and he is desperate to take every chance he gets.

Source: Mario Renzi/Getty Images

Looking on paper, getting rid of Sainz for 2025 looks harsh. He outscored Lerclerc in the first season as teammates. 2022 was his weakest at the team relative to Leclerc, although he recorded his first win at Silverstone. In 2023, he achieved the team's only victory in Singapore, becoming the only driver outside of Red Bull to win a race that season. He finished with 6 points behind Leclerc.

He has now won multiple races in a season for the first time, helping Ferrari with the constructor’s championship. But that doesn’t mean he's better than Lewis Hamilton.

If given the option of signing any driver on the grid, apart from Verstappen, who would you chose? A 7-time world champions sounds like a good option.

Despite being 40 next year, Hamilton still has speed and the knowledge of winning world championships. Not many in Ferrari have that memory. Ferrari have looked strong of late, but they haven’t won a driver’s championship in 17 years.

That is unacceptable for the wealthiest team in the sport. They need someone that can bring them championships as soon as possible, not just a decent driver. They have the deepest pockets in the sport and can pay Hamilton’s wage. 

The pairing of Leclerc and Hamilton does seem to give them the best possible chance. Leclerc has generally had the upper hand on Sainz and Hamilton’s resume needs no debate.

Source: Dan Istitene/Getty Images

Risks of Hamilton

There are still risks associated with Hamilton. First is his age. He’s almost 10 years older than Sainz. However, as last year showed age doesn’t seem to be much of issue with these modern cars, with Hamilton and Fernando Alonso finishing third and fourth in the championship.

Because these current crop of cars and tyres aren’t drive flat out, it negates some of the physical disadvantages, a driver in their 40’s would have.

Another risk with Hamilton is his wage. A 7-time world champion compared to a single digit Grand Prix winner, requires much more financial incentive. The finances of Hamilton’s contract have not been officially revealed, but it is rumoured his salary will be $100 million and the total size of the contract may be $446 million.

However, Ferrari needs championships as soon as possible. Money isn’t an issue for them, particularly in the budget cap era, where driver salaries are exempt from it.

The biggest risk for Hamilton and Ferrari, is his relationship with Leclerc. Leclerc and Sainz have gotten along quite well as teammates and have never collided together. Last year in Monza the team let the drivers fight over a podium position, which they somehow managed to keep clean.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wh4aY18ZFBM

Leclerc and Hamilton both have had their problems with teammates. Leclerc was unable to go to wheel to wheel with his previous teammate Sebastian Vettel without controversy. Hamilton has much more history. He has had soured relationships with Fernando Alonso and Nico Rosberg while as teammates fighting for championships.

If Ferrari are fighting for championships next year, it will be unacceptable for Hamilton to be No. 2 to Leclerc. Leclerc has shown great speed over the years as Ferrari’s No. 1 but unable to fight for championships because of the car.

With the money, a championship drought and loss of Sainz, a lot is on the line for Ferrari with this move. Anything but World Championships will be a disappointment for both Hamilton and the Scuderia.

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