Ferrari’s decision to replace Carlos Sainz with Lewis Hamilton for the 2025 Formula 1 season has emerged as a source of regret within the Italian team. Throughout the first 17 rounds of the season, Hamilton has struggled to achieve significant results, while teammate Charles Leclerc also fails to challenge for wins. In contrast, Carlos Sainz, after moving to Williams, has secured his first podium and remains Ferrari’s last race winner.
Former F1 team principal and “Drive to Survive” personality Guenther Steiner addressed the situation surrounding Ferrari’s disappointing season. He highlighted the challenges Hamilton faces amid Ferrari’s underwhelming car performance and admitted there are internal regrets about the driver change. Steiner also pointed out that while management cannot openly admit mistakes, some individuals within the team likely feel remorse given the current results.
Internal Reflection on Ferrari’s Decision to Replace Sainz
As the 2025 Formula 1 season unfolds, Lewis Hamilton’s introduction to Ferrari has been marred by a lackluster performance, failing to secure noteworthy finishes in the initial 17 races. Charles Leclerc has mirrored this struggle, leaving the Scuderia without a solid contender for victories. Meanwhile, Carlos Sainz’s transition to Williams has proved more fruitful, including his maiden podium at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, surpassing Hamilton’s best results with Ferrari.
Guenther Steiner reflected on Sainz’s strong results at Azerbaijan compared to Ferrari’s disappointing showing. Sainz clinched third place while Hamilton finished eighth, hampered by a controversial driver swap during the race, further stirring unrest within Ferrari. Steiner suggested that these outcomes have amplified the team’s regret over their decision to bring Hamilton on board.
“I think some people in the team do, I think obviously management cannot feel regret because you would be admitting that you did something wrong, and you cannot do that, because I’m sure that some of the guys there are feeling regret, because Ferrari finished eighth and ninth in Baku.”
Guenther Steiner said on the Red Flags podcast.
Comparing Sainz’s Performance to Hamilton’s Struggles at Ferrari
During his time with Ferrari, Carlos Sainz demonstrated consistency and a cooperative dynamic with teammate Charles Leclerc, avoiding major conflicts on the track. Contrastingly, Hamilton’s partnership with Leclerc has been fraught with controversies and difficulties, adding pressure on the team’s overall performance. Steiner emphasized that Sainz’s approach allowed Ferrari to focus more on racing improvements rather than handling external distractions.
“I mean, Carlos was doing a good job. They wouldn’t have all the interference from outside of Lewis not performing, so the team could focus on going racing, making things better, instead of always trying to find out why Lewis doesn’t like the car.”
Guenther Steiner noted.
Steiner’s remarks underline how Sainz’s tenure was marked by fewer disruptions, whereas Hamilton’s dissatisfaction with the car has commanded attention and resources. Ferrari has had to adjust the vehicle to satisfy Hamilton’s preferences, impacting their ability to concentrate solely on competition.
Current Challenges and Future Prospects for Hamilton and Ferrari
Despite ongoing difficulties, Lewis Hamilton is already looking ahead to the 2026 season, aiming to improve his results with Ferrari. However, as the 2025 season progresses, his prospects for a podium finish remain uncertain, with the possibility of enduring another year without reaching the top three.
The contrast between Sainz’s success at Williams and Hamilton’s struggles at Ferrari continues to fuel debate about the wisdom of Ferrari’s driver swap. This situation serves as a critical moment for Ferrari’s management, as they reassess their strategy and approach in a competitive and fast-evolving Formula 1 landscape.
Ultimately, Ferrari’s regret over letting go of Carlos Sainz highlights the high stakes and pressures involved in driver selection, and the consequences such decisions can have on team morale and championship aspirations.
