Discussions about Lewis Hamilton signing with Ferrari for 2025 seem to be everlasting. While Italy celebrates the incoming of a 7-time champion to partner with Tifosi’s golden boy Charles Leclerc, Team Principal Frederic Vasseur faces down the barrel of the most important questions: Who will be Ferrari’s number 1 in 2025? F1 Expert Ralf Schumacher believes the Maranello outfit could’ve prevented this predicament if Carlos Sainz wasn’t axed.

Over the last 3 years, Sainz and Leclerc’s racing has been nearly evenly matched. Though the Monegasque has brought more glory to Ferrari over his 6-year stint with them, his Spaniard teammate is no less. Until the Monaco GP this year, Sainz was the only non-Red Bull winner in two seasons. Furthermore, Frederic Vasseur wasn’t forced to side with one driver owing to their equal footing. But when Lewis Hamilton struts into the Scarlet Red headquarters with the dream to win his 8th championship, the situation changes.

According to Ralf Schumacher, Sainz was “a good [number] 1.5. [Number] 2 can’t be said at all. He’s really on an equal footing and that’s why I thought the team was extremely good,” the former driver added before criticizing Ferrari’s decision to bring Hamilton on board. “I don’t know who exactly was the mastermind [behind the change] and hoped for more from Hamilton. I would also say from my gut feeling that they should have kept both, and Lewis Hamilton could have done another year or two at Mercedes and then retired,” Schumacher concluded.

Ferrari’s power move to let a proven performer go will come with big responsibilities. While the criticism and advice keep rolling in from all directions, Sainz and Hamilton have their future decided for them.

Carlos Sainz “locked in” with Williams for 2025

Carlos Sainz received offers from Audi, Mercedes, and Red Bull for 2025. But the 3-time Grand Prix winner is leaning towards a backmarker team, that is Williams. After the Monaco GP, Sainz emphasized how his team choice is not led by the car’s pace but by how “valued” he feels there. Even though it takes a long time to succeed, he was ready to build something from scratch.

“Very graceful, very classy,” said TV presenter Steve Jones after analyzing Sainz’s reply. “I expected nothing less. Just after that interview, the rumors started to swirl that Sainz might be joining Williams. It’s really interesting to hear him talk about a long-term project with a team. In short, he’s going to Williams. It’s locked in.”

Italian publication La Gazzetta has also reported that Sainz’s Williams move is very close to being finalized. With the Spanish GP 3 weeks away, will the Spaniard delight his home fans with a contract announcement for 2025?