Ferrari might be thinking they made a mistake in swapping Carlos Sainz for Lewis Hamilton heading into 2025, according to former F1 driver Robert Doornbos.
The F1 paddock will look drastically different next year when Hamilton switches from Mercedes to Ferrari in one of the biggest moves in the sport’s history.
Hamilton had only just signed a one-year deal with Mercedes a few months before the agreement with Ferrari was announced.
The deal forced Sainz out at Ferrari, but the Spaniard has managed to outperform Hamilton throughout 2024.
Lewis Hamilton will leave Mercedes at the end of the year
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The 30-year-old drove a strong race in Texas last weekend to secure second spot ahead of Max Verstappen for his sixth podium of the year.
Meanwhile, Hamilton crashed out of the race in unusual circumstance as he spun out into the gravel trap for his second retirement of the season.
The seven-time world champion found some form in the summer with wins at Silverstone and Spa, but he’s failed to finish higher than fifth in his last five races.
Hamilton has just a handful of race weekends left before he makes the switch to Ferrari and is still ahead of team-mate George Russell in the Drivers’ Championship.
However, Doornbos wonders whether Ferrari are regretting their decision to go for Hamilton to replace Sainz.
“Hamilton will have looked at Ferrari’s results in Austin with happiness,” Doornbos said.
“While Ferrari may have to be thinking, ‘Why did we actually bring Hamilton in when Sainz is doing so well’,” Doornbos said.
He added: “Sainz is obviously on form. Let’s be honest, he drove an insane weekend in Austin.
Carlos Sainz joined Ferrari from the 2021 F1 season
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“It does seem like he is kind of unleashed, of ‘I don’t have a contract anymore anyway, I am just driving for personal success, and we are going to try to get as much success as possible in the remaining five Grand Prix weekends’.”
Sainz will leave Ferrari for Williams next year as Alex Albon’s team-mate after signing a two-year deal.
Williams have struggled to kick on this year as they currently sit eighth in the Constructors’ Championship.
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Albon has been Williams’ main source of points, but Franco Colapinto has impressed since coming in to replace Logan Sargeant.
Hamilton won’t be driving in FP1 for Mercedes in Mexico on Friday as his replacement, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, is set to step into his seat.
Antonelli said: “I’m looking forward to driving in FP1 and playing my part in helping the team make a good start on track this weekend.
“It is a new circuit for me and one I have been working hard to prepare for. The altitude makes it unique and it’s a challenge I’m excited to experience.”