Sainz Admits Being Replaced By Hamilton Surprised Him As Much Everyone Else

Tuesday, 13 February 2024 at 21:00

Scuderia Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz confessed he was surprised as much as everyone else once he learned Lewis Hamilton would replace him.

Carlos Sainz has been a Ferrari driver for three years and will finish his journey with the Italian team in 2024 as he completes his fourth season before being replaced by Lewis Hamilton going into 2025.

The announcement of Hamilton going to Ferrari might be one of the least expected and biggest moves in the history of Formula 1. In a recent interview with the Spanish driver posted on YouTube by Sky Sports, the 29-year-old admitted his big surprise.

"It is true that at one point, I got to know about this. It surprised me as much as it surprised you guys in the UK. But it is true I got to know it a bit in advance before it all happened."

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The Spanish driver has done his maximum over the last three years at Ferrari, but when someone like Hamilton comes knocking on the door asking for a seat, the stats speak in favor of the seven-time World Champion.

"As I said, it did surprise me, but it also gave me a bit of time to think about it, to realize what was happening and try to move forward and thinking that still, with one year ahead of us in Ferrari, I wanted to close my chapter here in the best possible way."

It was speculated that Sainz might not be interested in playing the team game anymore with his team now that he already knows 2024 will be his last season, no matter what. However, he said:

"I think I've always been as professional as I can be in every team I was going to, but also, especially as a Ferrari driver, I believe I behaved the best I could these last three years."

The 29-year-old added that this upcoming season will be no different from any other in terms of how he will work with his team collectively toward achieving the best result possible.

"I've always been a good team player in every team I've been to, and it will be the same case this year. I just to do the best for this team. I love Ferrari, and I love my time here, and I want to make sure we have a successful year together."