Sainz reflects on emotional farewell at Abu Dhabi GP
ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates – As the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix marked the end of Carlos Sainz's tenure with Ferrari, the Spanish driver shared his mixed feelings, describing his final race with the team as "strange" and emotionally charged.
Sainz, who will be making room for Lewis Hamilton's highly anticipated move to Ferrari in 2025, managed to secure a commendable second-place finish in what was his last outing in the iconic red racing car. Despite this achievement, it wasn't sufficient to clinch the constructors' title for Ferrari, adding a layer of complexity to his departure emotions.
Reflecting on his feelings about the race, Sainz admitted to experiencing a surge of emotions, especially during his last moment in the Ferrari car on the grid. "Strange. A bit emotional, I'm not going to lie," Sainz expressed. His four-year stint with the celebrated team made his farewell race a poignant moment, filled with both pride and sadness.
Sainz also alluded to moments throughout the season when he was overwhelmed by emotions, though they remained private, away from the public eye. Displaying a sense of humor, he credited Brad Pitt, present during the Grand Prix weekend for the filming of an F1 movie, with teaching him how to keep his emotions in check, at least outwardly.
Despite the heavy heart, Sainz emphasized his commitment to giving his all for Ferrari until the very end, balancing the professionalism required to compete at the highest level with the personal sentiment attached to his departure. His final words underscored a bittersweet blend of reflecting on his journey with Ferrari while eagerly anticipating the challenges that lie ahead.
As Sainz prepares to transition to his new team, Williams, he remains in Abu Dhabi for further testing. With a filming day scheduled for Monday followed by a post-season test day on Tuesday, Sainz's focus is already shifting towards optimizing performance for his future endeavors.
While his last laps for Ferrari were driven with relentless determination, Sainz confessed that part of his mind was already exploring ways to bring improvement to his new team, showcasing his unwavering competitiveness and dedication to excellence. As Sainz bids farewell to Ferrari, his journey in Formula 1 continues to evolve, with the racing community eagerly watching what comes next for this talented driver.
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