Carlos Sainz has insisted that he does need to "prove" himself in 2024 as he seeks a new Formula 1 seat for 2025.
Sainz will depart Ferrari at the end of the season to make way for Lewis Hamilton, who will partner Charles Leclerc from next season.
The two-time Grand Prix winner conceded that he was taken aback by the news of Hamilton's shock arrival at the Scuderia, meaning he will be looking for the fifth team of his F1 career in 2025 following spells at Toro Rosso, Renault, McLaren and Ferrari.
The Spaniard has not yet fully evaluated his choices to remain on the grid, although Stake F1 has been tipped as a destination for a season before long-time Sainz admirers Audi arrives for the 2026 rule reset.
But Sainz is confident that his existing body of work will appeal to potential suitors.
Viewed by others:
Sainz on future plans beyond Ferrari
"Honestly, I don't need a season to prove or to show to anyone what I am capable of," Sainz told media including RacingNews365.
"I'd think that in nine years in Formula 1, and especially the last three being at a top team like Ferrari, everyone has more or less seen what I am capable of.
"It is a new year, a new opportunity and hopefully it is a better car, with more performance, that allows us to shine a bit more in the races than we did last year, as we struggled a bit more than in qualifying.
"With a better race car, we can do better races, better strategies, have better tyre management and do better overtakes because last year, I was having to defend my position, and I did a lot of good defending, but not enough good overtaking.
"I am looking forward to it and seeing what we can extract from the car this year."
Most read
In this article
Join the conversation!