Ferrari F1 News: Former Engineer Claims Team Is Rethinking Lewis Hamilton Signing For Carlos Sainz
Former Ferrari technical engineer and presenter Toni Cuquerella has revealed that the team might be regretting the signing of Lewis Hamilton for 2025 since he would be replacing Carlos Sainz, who is currently in excellent form and the only non-Red Bull driver to have won a Grand Prix last year and in the current season so far.
Key Takeaways:
- Toni Cuquerella suggests Ferrari may regret signing Lewis Hamilton for 2025 as he replaces Carlos Sainz, who has been performing exceptionally well.
- Ferrari confirmed Hamilton's signing in February, aiming to capitalize on his track record for future success.
- Despite Ferrari's aspirations, Hamilton's recent lack of wins and Mercedes' struggles to challenge Red Bull raise doubts about the effectiveness of the decision, especially considering Sainz's strong performances and Ferrari's progress with the SF-24.
In February, Hamilton revealed his move to Ferrari for 2025, a decision promptly confirmed by the team, marking the replacement of Sainz. Ferrari eagerly sought the seven-time world champion for his immense value and unparalleled track record, solidifying their aspiration for future success.
However, the on-track dynamics have changed recently, since Hamilton hasn't won a race after winning the 2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. The long dry run is mostly attributed to Red Bull's dominance of the ground effect era that began in 2022, apart from the failure on Mercedes' part to hand him a car that can challenge the Milton Keynes outfit.
The Brackley outfit claimed that its 2024 title contender, the W15 F1 car, would be an entirely new machine based on a new concept. However, with four Grands Prix ticked off the 2024 F1 calendar, the car hasn't gotten anywhere near the podium yet.
In contrast, Ferrari has made significant strides with the SF-24, a stark improvement over the unpredictable SF-23 of the previous year. Sainz has consistently outshone his teammate Charles Leclerc, securing podium finishes in every race except the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, where he had to undergo surgery for appendicitis.
As Sainz explores his future options, Cuquerella suggests Ferrari might question the wisdom of swapping him for Hamilton. Speaking to DAZN, he said:
"I think that, if you take away the points, because there was a race that Carlos couldn't do, it is making Ferrari rethink whether they did the right thing or not.
"Whoever made the decision is going to have a bad end of the year."
With 20 races to go this season before Hamilton joins Ferrari, it remains to be seen if Mercedes can improve his chances of winning races through upgrades to the W15.