Following Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari for the 2025 season, Carlos Sainz was compelled to leave the team. Despite this change, the possibility of Carlos Sainz Ferrari return possibility remains alive, as F1 analyst Scott Mitchell-Malm has suggested that the Spanish driver could still be welcomed back by the Italian outfit. This development comes amid widespread speculation about the nature of Sainz’s departure from Maranello and his relationship with the team.
Sainz joined Ferrari in 2021 and immediately outperformed his teammate Charles Leclerc in the drivers‘ standings during his first year. However, the dynamics shifted with the introduction of the ground-effect regulations, which favored Leclerc in subsequent seasons. Notwithstanding this shift, Sainz and Leclerc remained closely matched in points, and Sainz maintained good relations within the Ferrari team. Although Hamilton’s arrival disrupted his tenure, Sainz accepted the situation without public dispute.
Scott Mitchell-Malm explained on The Race F1 podcast that Ferrari’s doors remain open to Sainz, countering narratives of a sour split between the Spaniard and the team.
“I think [Carlos] Sainz would actually be more welcome back at Ferrari than some people think, because I know there is a kind of division amongst the fanbases, and there is this belief that Sainz and his entourage were toxic, and he has left on bad terms.” (21:20 onwards)
“But, I have literally seen both Carlos and people around him in his camp walk past various people in and around Ferrari hospitality and the garage and stuff like that. And he’s incredibly high thought of within that organisation; I think he would be welcome back there.”
Following his exit from Ferrari, Sainz signed a multi-year deal with Williams, where he currently races.
Current Status and Hints from Carlos Sainz on Returning to Ferrari
Carlos Sainz enjoyed one of his most successful seasons last year, being among the seven drivers to secure multiple race wins. Nonetheless, his performance has faced challenges this season as the Williams team struggles in midfield, reflected by Sainz’s modest 16 points scored by the mid-summer break. Despite these difficulties, Sainz remains committed to improving with Williams but has not dismissed the chance of a Ferrari comeback.
In an interview on the Beyond the Grid podcast last year, Sainz expressed openness to a possible return, although he does not expect it soon:
“Yeah, why not? I don’t see why not. At the same time, I cannot see it happening anytime soon… So if I’m in F1 for as long as that, who tells you that in these next 10 years, Ferrari might need my services again in the future?”
Currently, Sainz is 16th in the Formula 1 championship standings, with his last points finish recorded at the Canadian Grand Prix.
Implications of a Potential Reunion and Future Prospects
The possibility that Carlos Sainz could rejoin Ferrari holds significant implications for both the driver and the team. For Ferrari, welcoming back a familiar and respected driver like Sainz could stabilize their driver lineup amid ongoing team changes. For Sainz, this would represent an opportunity to return to a front-running team with which he has established connections. Given the evolving nature of Formula 1 and player movements, this scenario remains one to watch in the coming seasons, especially as Ferrari navigates its strategies for driver selection and team performance.