No sour grapes: Sainz leaves "door open" for a future Ferrari drive

Carlos Sainz has not ruled out a return to Ferrari in the future. The Spanish driver has continued to push as hard as possible despite being ousted for the 2025 season before a wheel was turned in 2024. Sainz will make way for Lewis Hamilton, who will turn 40 during the winter break.

In February, Hamilton was announced as a future Ferrari driver. The team had already signed a contract extension with Charles Leclerc meaning there was no room for the Spanish driver. After months of searching, Sainz finally secured a deal with Williams who are currently towards the bottom of the championship. Yet the Spaniard has no unpleasant feelings towards Vasseur or Ferrari.

Sainz confirmed he remains open for a future collaboration. "My door will always be open to Ferrari in the future. Never say never in the future," said the 30-year-old Sainz.

Sainz has sometimes beaten Leclerc on the circuit. This included last weekend in Mexico. Sainz won the Grand Prix. "I think just giving my absolute best to Ferrari in my last year with them is something that I was always going to do, or I was always going to try and do. It's obviously difficult because to do 24 races, knowing you're leaving at the end of the year, especially knowing that I'm a guy that likes to focus more in the medium, long-term project, I always try and support, try to help in the direction of development in the team, into the medium to long-term things," the driver concluded.