Lewis Hamilton has joined Ferrari as Charles Leclerc’s team-mate for the 2025 season, replacing Carlos Sainz – but the Spaniard holds no grudge and is tipping the Brit to bring success to the team
Carlos Sainz believes Ferrari have a better chance of winning the World Championship with Lewis Hamilton in the team. Hamilton was brought in from Mercedes to partner Charles Leclerc for the 2025 season in a move that sent shockwaves across the sport, with Sainz moving to Williams.
The seven-time world champion didn’t enjoy the best start in the season opener at the Australian Grand Prix as he could only manage a ten-placed finish as Leclerc finished in eighth.
Sainz – who was ousted by Ferrari in favour of Hamilton – suffered an even worse start to life at Williams as he crashed out in Melbourne during the opening lap. His team-mate Alex Albon managed an impressive finish as he came fifth.
The Spaniard has taken some time out to speak about his former side Ferrari after being asked about Hamilton’s prospects with the team. He said while he’s never been team-mates with the ex-Mercedes star, he is optimistic he can help Ferrari continue their bid for a world title.
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“Honestly, I don’t know. I’ve never been teammates with Lewis, so I don’t know what he’s capable of doing. I’ve never seen his data,” Sainz told the media.
“I’ve seen Charles and I know how good Charles is, but I’ve never been teammates with Lewis. And the only way you can more or less evaluate purely a driver is when you’re their teammate and you see what they’re capable of doing.”
Sainz said he felt strongly that Ferrari were in the position to challenge Red Bull and McLaren when he left and believes they have got stronger with Hamilton on board.
“When I judge by results and his background and what he’s achieved, I can only say there’s a very high chance that obviously he’s going to be competitive in Ferrari,” he said.
“But like everything, it will all depend on how well you can adapt to a car, how well you can adapt to a team, and in which moment is your teammate in,” the Spaniard continued.
“So many variables that it’s impossible for me to predict. But I can only say when I left Ferrari, I did feel the team, both Ferrari and Charles, were ready to fight for a World Championship. And with Lewis joining, that chance only got increased.”
