Carlos Sainz, reacting to Lewis Hamilton’s surprising transfer to Ferrari for the 2025 season, expressed his initial surprise, stating that the news came unexpectedly for him and for the Formula One community as a whole. Sainz acknowledged that he had some time to process the news before it became public, allowing him to reflect, prepare, and focus on the upcoming 2024 season.

Despite the shock, Sainz appreciated the support he received from the F1 world and friends, which helped him stay positive and focused on his current commitments. He emphasized his determination to approach the 2024 season with full concentration and dedication.

“That gave me a bit of time to digest it and to draw my own conclusions and to focus on the 2024 season.

“I have had lot of messages of support which I would like to thank the F1 world for and friends back at home, who have been very supportive and very encouraging.”

Hamilton’s move to Ferrari leaves Sainz seeking a new team for the following season. While acknowledging the uncertainty, Sainz remained optimistic, stating that he has plenty of options to consider and that he will take the time to make the right decision for his career. He emphasized the importance of separating his focus on racing from the decision-making process regarding his future team.

Charles Leclerc, Sainz’s current teammate at Ferrari, welcomed Hamilton to the team, acknowledging the significance of having such an experienced and successful driver on board. Leclerc noted that discussions about Hamilton’s move were ongoing before he signed his own contract extension, indicating that it was not a sudden development. 

“I have had discussions with Lewis especially when everything was announced and official. We texted each other.

“Lewis is a great champion with so much success. It is always interesting to have a new team-mate, because you learn different ways of driving and working, and even more so when my new team-mate is a seven-time world champion.”

Leclerc expressed his admiration for Hamilton’s achievements and stated that he is looking forward to learning from him as a teammate.