Carlos Sainz Jr. openly expressed admiration for Lewis Hamilton, the driver who took over his Ferrari seat for the 2025 season, acknowledging that Hamilton remains one of his idols despite being a direct rival. This reflection comes amid a season of adjustments for both racers, with Sainz at Williams and Hamilton settling into Ferrari, as they experience mixed results early on in the year.
The driver exchange between Sainz and Hamilton was a major moment in the 2024 Formula 1 driver market. Hamilton’s move to Ferrari led to Sainz’s departure after four seasons with the Scuderia, during which he earned several podium finishes and notable victories. While Hamilton continues to face challenges adapting to Ferrari, Sainz achieved a significant breakthrough by securing a podium at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix for Williams, his new team.
Despite the switch, Sainz emphasized his continued respect for Hamilton. On BBC Radio 1’s All Day Breakfast with Greg James, he shared:
“For me, honestly, it’s because he’s my competitor but if I was not in F1, he would be one of my idols. When I was 10 years old is when he arrived to Formula 1 and he became world champion in (2008), I was 12 years old and that’s when I started watching Formula 1, when he was racing Fernando Alonso and (Felipe) Massa and everyone. He used to be one of my idols and one of the people that I looked up to, but now he’s one of my competitors years 10 years 15 years later.’’ [9:00 onwards]
Lewis Hamilton’s impact on the sport is immense. After finishing second as a rookie in 2007, he claimed his first World Championship in 2008 and went on to secure seven titles throughout his career. Sainz, who was 14 when Hamilton was solidifying his dominance in the sport, recalls watching those early seasons from home. By the time Sainz entered Formula 1 with Toro Rosso in 2015, Hamilton had already won three championships.
Their careers intertwined once again at Ferrari in 2024, as Hamilton joined the Italian team intending to conclude his career in red, causing Sainz to move on. Still, Sainz maintains strong connections with his former team, mentioning that Ferrari congratulated him on his first podium with Williams. Additionally, he was seen traveling with Charles Leclerc, showing the ongoing camaraderie with past teammates.
Sainz Reflects on His Successful Adjustment to Williams After Baku Podium
While Lewis Hamilton is yet to reach the podium with Ferrari, Carlos Sainz delivered Williams their first podium finish in four years at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Starting in second position, Sainz held a steady performance to claim third place, marking a turning point for both the driver and the team.
It was Sainz’s first podium in Williams colors and a moment he described as a testament to persistence paying off. After the race, he told Planet F1:
“I think out of everyone that’s changed teams, which is not an easy task nowadays, I’ve been very competitive from the first race, very quick, but I didn’t have results with me. I didn’t have results to prove to myself, the team, and everyone that some good things were about to come. But, in the end, they did.”
This result underlines the importance of Baku, proving Sainz’s early speed in the FW47 and giving Williams a well-earned celebration. While teammate Alex Albon faced setbacks due to a penalty that dropped him to 13th place after a difficult race starting from the back, Sainz’s podium showcased the team’s progress based on merit.
Conversely, Hamilton’s adaptation to Ferrari remains a challenge. He exited qualifying in Q2 and finished eighth after starting twelfth in the race. Current standings reflect this contrast, with Hamilton sitting sixth in the championship on 121 points while Sainz is 12th with 31 points, demonstrating how their team changes have unfolded quite differently so far.
Upcoming Singapore GP Offers a Chance for Momentum and Breakthrough
Looking ahead to the Singapore Grand Prix on October 5, the circuit’s history of unexpected outcomes raises hopes for both drivers. Carlos Sainz and Williams arrive with momentum following their recent success and will aim to build on it. For Lewis Hamilton, the upcoming race presents another opportunity to find a breakthrough performance in Ferrari colors and justify the high expectations placed on the seven-time world champion’s transition.
The contrasting journeys of these two drivers highlight the unpredictable nature of Formula 1 transitions and the pressure of adapting to new teams, especially when swapping high-profile seats. Sainz’s resilience at Williams and Hamilton’s pursuit to fit into Ferrari’s framework remain compelling storylines as the season advances.
