Carlos Sainz has reflected on how his decision to leave McLaren for Ferrari may have affected his chances of winning a Formula 1world championship. Making the move after two seasons alongside Lando Norris at McLaren, Sainz believes that had he remained with the British team, he could be fighting for titles today. This topic is at the centre of discussions as the Spaniard navigates his Formula 1 career amid significant team changes.
During his 11-year tenure in Formula 1, Sainz has driven for several teams, including Toro Rosso, Renault, McLaren, Ferrari, and most recently Williams. Despite his long career, he has yet to secure a Drivers’ Championship, which makes his reflections on past decisions especially notable.
Earlier Career Moves and Their Effects on Sainz’s Title Chances
Sainz’s period at McLaren was among the most encouraging phases of his career. Over two seasons, he secured podium finishes and ended the Drivers’ Championship ranked sixth. McLaren’s performance at that time was strong, with the team finishing third in the constructor standings in 2020, a season when Ferrari slipped behind and failed to reach the podium for the first time since 2014.
When Ferrari offered Sainz a seat after the 2020 season, the opportunity was irresistible despite McLaren’s competitiveness. Sainz expressed this clearly in a statement at the time:
Image of: Carlos Sainz
“With all my respect and admiration for McLaren, which is the second-best team in history, when Ferrari knocks on the door, plus one that won in 2019, there is no doubt,”
—Carlos Sainz, Formula 1 Driver
However, the subsequent years have unfolded differently than anticipated. Ferrari has not won a Drivers’ title since 2007 nor a Constructors’ Championship since 2008. In contrast, McLaren has surged ahead, becoming the reigning teams’ champion and a strong favourite to claim multiple titles in the current season. Within McLaren, the battle for the Drivers’ crown is between Lando Norris, Sainz’s former teammate, and rising star Oscar Piastri.
Sainz’s Thoughts on Staying at McLaren
Looking back, Sainz believes that his time at McLaren was the peak of his performance so far. He described those years as the period when he extracted the best from his car and experienced strong personal growth.
Addressing this, he said:
“Those two strong years at McLaren were perhaps the best of my career, where I got the most out of the car I had,”
—Carlos Sainz, Formula 1 Driver
“If I had stayed, we would now be fighting for a World Championship.”
—Carlos Sainz, Formula 1 Driver
He also shared how McLaren was the first team where he truly felt welcomed and supported, which enhanced his confidence and development:
“It was the first place in Formula 1 where I really felt loved, supported and embraced by everyone. It boosted my confidence and allowed me to grow as a driver.”
—Carlos Sainz, Formula 1 Driver
Resolving Any Regrets About the Decision to Join Ferrari
Despite acknowledging that staying with McLaren might have offered him a better shot at titles, Sainz does not regret his move to Ferrari. He highlighted the prestige and allure that Ferrari holds in Formula 1, explaining that any driver in his position would be compelled to say yes when approached by the Scuderia.
He stated:
“I think any driver in my position would get a call from Ferrari during the McLaren era, which isn’t the current era, and you have to go to Ferrari. You can’t say no,”
—Carlos Sainz, Formula 1 Driver
“I wanted to prove to myself and to everyone that I am worth being there, to fight for podiums and victories.”
—Carlos Sainz, Formula 1 Driver
Looking Ahead: Sainz’s Current Role and Future Aspirations with Williams
After being replaced at Ferrari to accommodate Lewis Hamilton, Sainz moved to Williams, signing a multi-year deal with the Grove-based team. While this shift places him in a different tier of the grid, Sainz views this chapter as potentially the defining part of his career.
This season has proved challenging, as he has struggled to adapt to the Williams FW47 car. Nevertheless, the upcoming major overhaul in Formula 1 regulations scheduled for 2026 brings new hope, including redesigned cars and power units that could level the competitive field.
Sainz is optimistic about the future and dreams of significant success at Williams. He emphasized this vision, saying:
“I’m doing very well at Williams and I think it’s a very good place for my future.”
—Carlos Sainz, Formula 1 Driver
“If we manage to take Williams back up and achieve a podium or a victory one day, it would be the thing I could be most excited about, it’s my life project.”
