Carlos Sainz will take time to decide his next move ahead of his future in F1 as his exit from Ferrari approaches at the end of 2024, giving the Spaniard the best chance to become world champion I want to choose between options.
In early February, it was confirmed that Lewis Hamilton would join the Scuderia in 2025, with the seven-time world champion set to partner Charles Leclerc. This leaves Sainz without a seat after this season, which will be his fourth and final year with the Italian national team.
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As Sainz got behind the wheel of Ferrari's new challenger, the SF-24, during pre-season testing in Bahrain, the 29-year-old was asked how it felt to start the year with such uncertainty. I received it.
“If there's one thing I've gained over the last few years, it's stability,” Sainz replied. “This is my fourth year with this team and I feel ready to take on my fourth year here at Ferrari as a good challenge.
Sainz 'takes time' to decide next move
“Obviously the team will be different next year and I will be moving somewhere else, but I don't know where yet. I'm going to make the right decisions over the next three to four years that could potentially get me somewhere I'm going to be.
“To do that, we need time to look at the whole situation, talk to all the teams and figure out who gives us the best chance of becoming world champions in the future.”
Read more: Leclerc and Sainz give verdict on Ferrari's position against Red Bull
In terms of on-track performance, Sainz topped the timesheets on the second day of testing at the Bahrain International Circuit and finished the first day in third place.
The Spanish driver had a good first impression of the car, concluding after the first run: [on the first day] I had a great day on the course. We ran a completely new car that seemed to be in good condition right out of the box.
“We scanned the whole set-up, the whole top and bottom of the car, and the car seemed to respond and react well. As for performance, of course we don't know anything, but all we know is that the Red Bull looks very fast. I understand, but I don't know anything else.”
Technical analysis: Why Ferrari fans are encouraged by what the test results suggest
Ferrari and the other teams will soon find out where they stand when the 2024 season kicks off in Bahrain from February 29 to March 2.
