Who is replacing Carlos Sainz as a Ferrari driver?
It was confirmed in the build-up to the hour that Oliver Bearman would be stepping in at Ferrari to substitute for Carlos Sainz, with the Spaniard being diagnosed with appendicitis. Hamilton is replacing Carlos Sainz at the Scuderia, with the Spaniard moving to Williams despite impressing alongside Leclerc for four years. Ferrari confirmed the signing of Hamilton back in February 2024, before Sainz enjoyed his best F1 season.Carlos Sainz has quickly settled into his new role at Williams after leaving Ferrari. The 30-year-old Spaniard recently visited the team’s Grove headquarters, where he praised team principal James Vowles’ vision for the future.
Did Carlos Sainz leave Ferrari?
Carlos Sainz Leaves Ferrari After 4 Years and Joins Williams for 2025: A New Chapter for The Smooth Operator. Carlos Sainz chuckled softly, but there was a hint of pain in his deep brown eyes when he said, “It would never be Charles Leclerc — he’s Ferrari’s project. The 24-year-old Arthur Leclerc, who previously drove in Formula 2, was borrowing Carlos Sainz Jr. Ferrari because of a rule that teams must give younger and less experienced drivers practice time at least twice per season. Charles Leclerc said his family was flying in to Abu Dhabi to watch the brothers.Charles Leclerc — the pride of Monaco and Ferrari’s golden boy. With nerves of steel and a heart that beats red, he’s more than just a Formula 1 driver — he’s a racer born to chase greatness.His commitment resonates with Ferrari fans, who cherish drivers that embrace the prestige of wearing the famous red overalls. For Leclerc, the value of winning in Ferrari red outweighs the possibility of joining a different team for quicker success.Williams driver Carlos Sainz and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc may be rivals on track, but they continue to remain close friends off it. Interestingly, their girlfriends are also friends and often show support for each other on social media.
Who will replace Hamilton at Mercedes?
Andrea Kimi Antonelli confirmed as Lewis Hamilton’s replacement with Mercedes looking ahead to ‘next chapter’ | Formula 1® Leclerc is contracted to remain at Ferrari until at least the end of the 2026 season.As of the 2025 Dutch Grand Prix, Leclerc has achieved eight race wins, 27 pole positions, 10 fastest laps, and 48 podiums in Formula One. Leclerc is contracted to remain at Ferrari until at least the end of the 2026 season.Ferrari confirmed today what has long been rumoured: Charles Leclerc will partner Sebastian Vettel next year, replacing the Sauber-bound Kimi Raikkonen. Formula 2 champion Leclerc has turned heads in his debut season in Formula 1, with a string of impressive performances for the improving Sauber team.
Why did Hamilton leave Mercedes?
Hamilton reportedly left Mercedes for Ferrari because the latter offered him a longer contract and more money. Furthermore, he had been in a losing slump—with no wins in 2022 or 2023—and hoped to revive his career on the new team. After two years at Renault, Ricciardo joined McLaren for the 2021 Formula One World Championship as a replacement for Carlos Sainz Jr. Ferrari.The Spaniard swapped Ferrari for Williams at the start of the 2025 Formula 1 season, although it’s not a change he would have made if the decision was up to him. Sainz was forced out of Ferrari by the arrival of seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton during contract negotiations over a new deal.Daniel Ricciardo has no interest in returning to Formula 1 with General Motors’ Cadillac team in 2026, sources have told ESPN.
Who replaced Sebastian Vettel at Ferrari?
On the back of his strongest season in Formula 1 with McLaren in 2019, Ferrari opted to sign Sainz as a replacement for Sebastian Vettel before a competitive lap had been raced in 2020, announcing in May that the Spaniard would drive alongside Charles Leclerc for 2021. He could see he was no longer the chosen one, the driver the team relied on. Ferrari were happy to keep him in the family but they didn’t want to make a long-term commitment as they had a new love in their life. Vettel wanted commitment and the focus – after all, three is a crowd – but that wasn’t on the table.After a winless 2014 campaign, Vettel signed for Ferrari, replacing Alonso to partner Kimi Räikkönen; he took several wins in his debut season, finishing third in the standings.Vettel replaced Alonso and partnered his friend Kimi Räikkönen. Vettel mentioned he would like to drive for Ferrari at some point in his career and was already rumoured in 2012 to have a non-binding pre-contract, with options, to join them in 2014.In a reflective interview for the team’s official website, Vettel was asked to name the toughest of his many F1 rivals over the years, to which he replied: “Lewis, especially when I was at Ferrari. Lewis has always been right up there. Before that, it was probably Fernando [Alonso] when he was at Ferrari.
Who did Leclerc replace in Ferrari?
Leclerc signed for Ferrari in 2019, swapping seats with Kimi Räikkönen to partner four-time World Drivers’ Champion Sebastian Vettel. Sainz entered the 2024 campaign knowing it would be his last for Ferrari, with the Maranello marque deciding over the winter break to bring in seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton for 2025 and beyond.Williams (2025–present) Replaced by Lewis Hamilton for 2025, Sainz (pictured at the Japanese Grand Prix) signed for Williams. Replaced by Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari, Sainz joined Williams from 2025 onwards on a two-year deal, partnered by Alexander Albon.Driver changes He replaced Carlos Sainz Jr. Ferrari after four seasons to join Williams on a multi-year deal. Sainz was initially set to replace Logan Sargeant, but Sargeant was replaced by Franco Colapinto midway through the 2024 season.On the back of his strongest season in Formula 1 with McLaren in 2019, Ferrari opted to sign Sainz as a replacement for Sebastian Vettel before a competitive lap had been raced in 2020, announcing in May that the Spaniard would drive alongside Charles Leclerc for 2021.Leclerc on relationship with Sainz: ‘We’ll spend a lot of time off the track’: — Charles Leclerc reflected on his time with Carlos Sainz at Ferrari, describing their relationship as incredibly positive. Honestly, I’ve had an incredible relationship with Carlos.