Sainz ‘sad’ over F1 team exit ahead of possible ‘Ferrari year’

Carlos Sainz has signalled his sadness over leaving Ferrari ahead of a year it could contend for the world championship.

Sainz learned prior to the start of the current campaign that he would be replaced by Lewis Hamilton at the Maranello-based squad in 25.

Ferrari has enjoyed a strong season and currently sit 36 points down on McLaren in the hunt for the constructors' standings, however it has not had the consistency across the year to fight for the drivers' championship.

However, its late-season form has put it into title contention, a shape Ferrari is looking to commence the next year in - which could throw the drivers into a championship fight.

Sainz will join Williams at the end of the season and insists he is leaving Ferrari in good humour.

“I'm leaving in good spirits - just the fact that we've managed to win two races this year, three with Charles, it just shows all the work that has been done during the last few years in the team,” he told media including RacingNews365.

“The way that the team delivers on Sunday, the fact that we managed to do a good race car this year on Sunday when last year it was our weakness.

“The fact that recently qualifying has improved when qualifying was a bit of a weakness, it just shows the team is working well together. 

“We're working in the right direction. The weaknesses of mid-season are being solved. The weaknesses of qualifying are being solved. The weaknesses of strategy of two years ago are being solved. The weakness of bouncing in the middle of the year are being solved. 

“There's things that are just working well and the team is working well together and it makes me very proud of that because it shows we are just a very solid team right now. 

“And that's what makes me leave happy -  that I could contribute to this.

“But at the same time, [I'm] sad that maybe next year is the year, and I'm not going to be here.”