Breaking: Ferrari may have Lewis Hamilton replacement lined up already for…read more

Ferrari might already have a potential replacement in mind for Lewis Hamilton when he eventually retires from Formula 1, with Carlos Sainz emerging as a strong candidate. The Spanish driver, who had a challenging departure from Ferrari, could make a return to the team after Hamilton’s time with the Scuderia comes to an end.

Sainz, who spent several seasons with Ferrari, concluded his final race for the team in Abu Dhabi before transitioning to post-season testing with Williams. Despite leaving under less-than-ideal circumstances, the 30-year-old maintained strong relationships with both Ferrari’s management and his teammate, Charles Leclerc. In 2024, Sainz had one of his best seasons in F1, securing two Grand Prix victories—his first-ever wins in the sport.

Sainz has been open about his departure, acknowledging the inevitability of the situation. In an interview on the Beyond The Grid podcast, he discussed how he understood the reasoning behind the decision almost immediately. While he admitted it would have been more difficult to accept if Ferrari had replaced him with a different driver, he accepted that Ferrari was offering a seat to Lewis Hamilton, one of the greatest drivers in F1 history. Hamilton’s move to Ferrari was seen as a logical step as he nears the end of his career, and it presented the opportunity for him to finish his tenure at one of the most iconic teams in the sport.

Sainz reflected on the fact that with Hamilton’s arrival at Ferrari, it was clear that one of the two current drivers at the team would need to make way. For Sainz, the decision felt natural and understandable. He respected Ferrari’s choice to offer the seat to Hamilton and acknowledged the weight of the seven-time world champion’s legacy. Despite the personal disappointment of being replaced, Sainz expressed no ill will towards the move, highlighting his professional understanding of the situation.

This mutual respect between Sainz and Ferrari emphasizes how Formula 1 operates in a competitive environment, where the best drivers are often given priority. With Hamilton expected to remain with Ferrari for several more seasons, Sainz’s potential return to the team after Hamilton’s retirement seems like a strong possibility. The circumstances surrounding Sainz’s departure and his successful career in F1 only add to his appeal as a future Ferrari driver.