If we had to explain Carlos Sainz's start of the season through a saying, the perfect one would be: ‘from the stars to the stars’. After his years at Ferrari, the Spaniard managed not only to grow, but also to achieve important goals: the first poles, the first victories and, in 2023, he took the credit for having managed to interrupt Max Verstappen's trail of successes, thanks to his textbook victory in Singapore.
Hamilton's announcement to the Redhead destabilised - and not a little - the Spaniard, who repeatedly confessed his regret at leaving a team with which he was not only doing well, but was achieving so much success. Starting the 2024 season without a seat, without a clear perspective for the future, was not easy. There was no shortage of adversity either, with appendicitis surgery forcing him to miss even one race, the Jeddah GP.
But his return to the track a week later, in Melbourne, proved triumphant: he took second place in qualifying and, on Sunday, was the author of a majestic victory. Beyond the Australian stage he scored another success in Mexico, which had a different emotion on Carlos' face, as he was aware that it was his last victory in Red. These successes, plus other podium appearances, allowed him to close his chapter at Ferrari with a seal of love, respect and gratitude.
Resilience
The arrival at Williams is a leap into the void, a fresh start. After the official announcement, many were astonished: why has Carlos Sainz decided to move to a team that is far from the positions that count? With a project still at an experimental stage on the road to success? In the various interviews after the announcement, the Spaniard admitted that he was aware of the uphill road, but excited about the possibility of taking the British team back to its former glories.
But you know, reality often differs from dreams, and after some positive pre-season tests, the season starts resoundingly bad, very bad.
Tunnel with no exit
In the Melbourne where only a year ago he drove a majestic race, Sainz crashed at the last corner leading to the straight on the second lap of the race, under Safety Car conditions. First retirement on his Williams debut. In China, on the other hand, the double disqualification at Ferrari helps the Spaniard to win a point, the only one currently in his pocket. Then followed Suzuka and Bahrain, where the top 10 did not arrive and, at Sakhir, the excessive desire for remuntada even led to strong contacts with Tsunoda, which forced him into his second retirement of the season.
And if Sainz only has one point in the driver's classification, his team-mate Alex Albon has an impressive eighteen. The Thai has started a solo Championship, bringing Williams more points than he achieved in the whole of last season. Not a bad result that, with the help of Sainz, could have been higher.
The absurd coincidence with Hamilton
The Spaniard's skills cannot be questioned: since his debut in Formula 1 ten years ago, he has managed to become one of the most experienced drivers on the grid. Sainz has been described by all the teams in which he has been a team man, a hard worker and a great driver. But the visible difficulties at the wheel of Williams lead us to wonder: is it really only a matter of time to adapt to the world of the Grove team or are there monsters in the Spaniard's mind that need to be defeated?
Finding oneself in such different positions from where - as a rule - one was accustomed to stay, must certainly not be easy. Added to this is the great difference between the British team and the world of Ferrari: two legends in F1 history, and yet so different in their respective environments. Acting almost as the right-hand man to our Carlos is Lewis Hamilton. He too, like the Spaniard, is experiencing great troubles with Ferrari, with a Leclerc who can make a clear difference to the seven-time world champion.
Jeddah will therefore be crucial: an opportunity to bring this three-round series to a positive close. The short break before Miami will be more than necessary, not only to recharge the batteries, but to regain that fighting, fast and determined soul, which at the moment seems to be locked in a drawer. Will the Matador be able to rise in the rankings, rediscover himself, and produce matches worthy of his name?
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Inside photo www.ferrari.com
Inside photo www.ferrari.com
Inside photo x.com
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