Carlos Sainz’s excellent weekend at the Mexico City Grand Prix was a reminder of his supreme talent, but also the “confounding” reality that the Spaniard is almost certain to be out of the race for wins next season.
Sainz put in a near-flawless display in Mexico to ease into pole position on Saturday, before calmly getting past Max Verstappen at the start to take a comfortable victory in Sunday’s race.
The victory was his second of the season and fourth of his career, but the emotional celebrations that followed suggested it had extra meaning as it could be his last for Ferrari.
Sainz has just four races with the Scuderia before being replaced by Lewis Hamilton in 2025, a move confirmed in February ahead of the start of the current season.
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Extended highlights from the Mexico City Grand Prix at Autodromo Hermanos Rodríguez
The question of where Sainz would go next was not answered until late July, when he decided to join Williams after they emerged as surprise contenders to sign him.
After a promising 2023 campaign, Williams have failed to make progress this year, at least in terms of results, as they sit eighth in the Constructors’ Championship, just three points ahead of Alpine.
Sainz, by contrast, looks to be in the form of his life and could easily have won the double with a little more fortune, having put in an impressive display in Austin a week ago to seal a team one or two behind Ferrari. – friend Charles Leclerc.
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Ferrari manager Carlos Sainz says winning the Mexico City GP was one of the best feelings he has ever experienced in the sport with his family and friends.
Speaking after Sainz took pole on Saturday, Sky Sports F1 Expert Karun Chandhok said. “He’s been in top form both in Austin and here. He was unlucky with a fuel leak, so he had to rule the race in Austin.
“It’s still puzzling that he won’t be in the top four next year.
“The boy is performing at an absolutely high level at this stage. It’s confusing, but an amazing job by him.”
“It’s a shame Sainz won’t be at Red Bull or Mercedes”
Sainz was heavily linked with both Mercedes and Red Bull before eventually signing with Williams, and his decision suggested that none of the leading teams ultimately made him an offer.
Mercedes has decided to replace Hamilton with Italian teenager Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who will drive alongside George Russell next year.
Red Bull were thrown into the mix by offering Verstappen’s team-mate Sergio Perez a contract extension in mid-season, something they now regret given the Mexican’s dismal form.
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Fred Wasser has praised Carlos Sainz for his perfect drive and perfect weekend for Ferrari after he won the Mexico City GP.
While having a driver of Sainz’s quality alongside Verstappen would be a huge improvement, it is understood in the pub that the Dutchman’s camp would not be keen to see the pair’s Toro Rosso partnership of almost a decade back restored.
Chandhok added: “If you think about the likes of a midfield team like Williams at the moment and the driver they’ve been able to bring in from a top team, it’s very rare.
“This is a massive coup. James Vowles and the team have done a brilliant job getting him there but I still feel it’s a bit of a shame we won’t see him at Red Bull or Mercedes next year. “.
Sainz opens up about Ferrari’s ‘bittersweet’ success
Ferrari’s back-to-back wins have put the Italian team back in contention for the Constructors’ Championship, with leaders McLaren just 29 points clear at this weekend’s Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
As the rules of the sport don’t change until after next season, Ferrari’s strong form last season suggests they could have a car for 2025 that will give Leclerc and Hamilton the chance to challenge for the drivers’ title.
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McLaren’s Zac Brown crashed a Ferrari team photo after Carlos Sainz’s win, so Sainz decided to return the favor.
While Sainz is relishing being able to go out on a high, the fact that he will miss out on a potential championship shot is not lost on the 30-year-old.
“(It’s) bittersweet because it gives me the feeling that Ferrari can fight for the world championship next year and I won’t be there to take advantage of it,” Sainz said in Mexico.
“And I feel like I’ve been a pretty big part of this team for the last four years, trying to prepare the team to fight for that championship next year, and the fact that I drive well, I’m fast in the car and in the car. I’m leaving, it definitely leaves me a bit… I don’t know how to say it, but not in a very good feeling.”
Sainz admitted after the race that the dynamics of his situation had been a “challenge” and that the three-week break before the American triple had helped him regain focus.
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Carlos Sainz joins Karun Chandhok on SkyPad to analyze his spin for the Mexico City GP.
“It’s been a strange year in that sense, and quite a difficult year as well.
“I think it could have been quite easy for me to lose motivation and lose a bit of drive to get it done, but that three week break served me well.
“I managed to regain a bit of determination and drive that I needed for these last five, six races of the season.
“It’s not been an easy year but I’m proud of the fact that I’ve been able to stick with it and obviously I’m trying to help the team as much as I can now to win the constructors’ title because it would be the perfect farewell for me. “
‘People won’t forget’, Hill says Sainz ‘left his mark’
Former world champion Damon Hill believes Sainz’s recent form will ensure a return to the top of the grid at some point, whether with Williams’ improvement or another line move.
“Carlos did a great job” Sky Sports F1 expert Hill said.
“There’s no doubt that he left his mark and people won’t forget it. However, it will be difficult when he plays in a team that is not very capable.”
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Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz was able to beat Max Verstappen, Lando Norris and teammate Charles Leclerc to take pole in Mexico City.
While Hill says Williams, the team he won his drivers’ title with in 1996, should not be discounted, the Briton suggested Sainz is keeping his options open for the future.
“I always thought Carlos would be brilliant at Mercedes,” Hill added. “I think he is exactly the kind of driver they need. But then they have their plans and that’s how it goes.
“Let’s not discount Williams. They’re making progress, but I think Carlos has a long way to go.
“Hopefully he has an option in his contract to jump if he needs to.”
Sky Sports F1 live Sao Paulo GP schedule
Thursday October 31
16:00: Drivers’ press conference
Friday November 1
14:00 Sao Paulo GP Practice One (session starts at 14:30)
4:30 p.m. Press conference of team directors
18:00. Sao Paulo GP Sprint Qualifying (qualifying start: 18:30*)
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Take a look back at the most dramatic moments from the São Paulo Grand Prix
2nd week of November
13:00. Sao Paulo GP Sprint Rally
14:00 Sao Paulo GP Sprint
15.30: Ted’s sprint notebook
At 17:00. Sao Paulo qualifying meeting
18:00. Sao Paulo GP Qualifying
20:00. Ted’s qualifying notebook
Sunday, November 3
15:30. Grand Prix Sunday. Sao Paulo GP meeting
17:00 SAO PAULO GRAND PRIX
19:00. Checkered flag. Sao Paulo GP reaction
20:00 Teddy’s notebook
*also live on Sky Sports Main Event
Formula 1 America’s triple whammy will conclude this weekend with the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, with every session live on Sky Sports F1. Stream every F1 race and more with a NOW Sports Month membership. no contract, cancel anytime
