Hamilton move FORCED Ferrari into axing Sainz

Change your timezone:
Hamilton move FORCED Ferrari into axing Sainz
Lewis Hamilton has now officially replaced Carlos Sainz at Ferrari
Seven-time Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton has been handed a stark response over his move to Ferrari, which uprooted his predecessor Carlos Sainz from the seat.
Hamilton is now settling into his new team but with less than two months to go until the 2025 season opener, new details have emerged on how the champion came to be on Ferrari's radar.
F1 HEADLINES: Ricciardo comeback decision declared as BLOCKBUSTER announcement made
READ MORE: FIA race director REPLACED as official statement released
The F1 legend has now officially left Mercedes after 12 successful years, where he earned six of his seven drivers' titles and contributed to the Silver Arrows' domination of the constructors' championship between 2014 and 2021.
Since the reintroduction of the ground effect era in 2022 however, Mercedes have fallen short of championship contention, with Hamilton looking for a new challenge elsewhere on the grid.
After being reunited at Ferrari with his former Mercedes ally Angela Cullen, 2025 could be the year he finally secures a record-breaking eighth championship.
Ferrari have finally dropped the official 2025 merch, click here to shop Hamilton's debut kit in red.


READ MORE: F1 plans for SCOTTISH Grand Prix revealed
Sainz Sr. reveals insider details on Hamilton Ferrari switch
Following the news of Hamilton's move to Ferrari this time last year, it became clear pretty quickly that it would be Sainz who would have to be replaced at the Scuderia rather than the team's beloved ‘il Predestinato’, Charles Leclerc.
Sainz appeared to part ways in a more than amicable manner with the team, appearing teary-eyed during his final grand prix weekend racing in red in Abu Dhabi.
Since the departure, Sainz has made himself at home with Williams F1 team and appears to be fully on board with James Vowles' vision to return the Grove-based outfit to their former championship glory.
Now however, Sainz's father, rally legend Carlos Sainz Sr, has revealed insider details over how his son's exit from Ferrari came about, revealing that it was supposedly Hamilton who initiated the deal.
"I wouldn't say that Ferrari behaved badly, the circumstances were simply created for the perfect storm," Sainz Sr explained whilst appearing on the El Cafelito podcast.
"The team was happy with Carlos, but this opportunity was created because it was generated by Hamilton himself."
Went on to further detail how Hamilton's team switch went down, revealing: "It was him who approached Ferrari and created the opportunity."
"Maybe he could have been more transparent, but then the negotiations would have leaked out and Ferrari absolutely did not want that."
Recommended by the editors
Red Bull
Red Bull star's F1 future boosted with rival tipped to race in Japan in 2027
Michael Masi
Controversial F1 race director Michael Masi lands top job
Max Verstappen
Max vs 100 Results: Final times and positions as Verstappen takes on epic Silverstone challenge
Max Verstappen
'Max vs 100': Start time and how to watch live as Verstappen takes on epic Silverstone challenge

Change your timezone:
Latest News
F1 star Lewis Hamilton issues heartfelt Macklemore statement after Ed Sheeran tour axe
- Yesterday 23:23
Red Bull star's F1 future boosted with rival tipped to race in Japan in 2027
- Yesterday 22:27
Controversial F1 race director Michael Masi lands top job
- Yesterday 21:45
Ferrari 'Achilles' heel' exposed after big missed opportunity for Lewis Hamilton
- Yesterday 20:45
Max vs 100 Results: Final times and positions as Verstappen takes on epic Silverstone challenge
- Yesterday 19:43
Max Verstappen series switch gets green light as F1 2027 calendar confirmed
- Yesterday 17:45
Most read
'Max vs 100': Start time and how to watch live as Verstappen takes on epic Silverstone challenge
- Yesterday 16:15
F1 star returns after four-year ban lifted
- 29 august
FIA announce 30-place grid penalty for Kimi Antonelli at Italian Grand Prix
- 4 september
F1 Qualifying Results: 2026 Spanish Grand Prix positions and times at Madring
- 12 september
F1 Qualifying Results: Pierre Gasly takes staggering pole position at Italian Grand Prix
- 5 september
Max vs 100 Results: Final times and positions as Verstappen takes on epic Silverstone challenge
- Yesterday 19:43
Related news
Why Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari failure might be a good thing for the seven-time champion
The radical F1 summer break change to break cycle of dominance
Lewis Hamilton under microscope at Ferrari after 'useless' drives prompt retirement calls
Rising star receives Ferrari promotion for 2026
F1 Standings
Drivers
- Lewis Hamilton
- Charles Leclerc
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Franco Colapinto
- Pierre Gasly
- Isack Hadjar
- Liam Lawson
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Carlos Sainz
- Kimi Antonelli
- George Russell
- Oliver Bearman
- Esteban Ocon
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Arvid Lindblad
- Yuki Tsunoda
- Gabriel Bortoleto
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Valtteri Bottas
- Sergio Pérez
Races
-
Grand Prix of Australia 2026
-
Grand Prix of China 2026
-
Grand Prix of Japan 2026
-
Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2026
-
Miami Grand Prix 2026
-
Grand Prix du Canada 2026
-
Grand Prix De Monaco 2026
-
Gran Premio de Barcelona-Catalunya 2026
-
Grand Prix of Austria 2026
-
Grand Prix of Great Britain 2026
-
Grand Prix of Belgium 2026
-
Grand Prix of Hungary 2026
-
Dutch Grand Prix 2026
-
Grand Prix of Italy 2026
-
Gran Premio de España 2026
-
Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2026
-
Grand Prix of Bahrain 2026
-
Grand Prix of Singapore 2026
-
Grand Prix of the United States 2026
-
Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2026
-
Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2026
-
Las Vegas Grand Prix 2026
-
Qatar Grand Prix 2026
-
Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2026
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Editorial & corporate information
Avenue HQ
10–12 East Parade
Leeds
LS1 2BH
United Kingdom Regional correspondence
View contact page
Realtimes Network
- Authors
- Privacy and Terms
- RSS
- Contact
- Advertise
- Android
- iOS
- Publishing principles
- Corrections policy
- Ownership & funding
- F1 Tickets
- Privacy
Copyright (©) 2017 - 2026 GPFans.com
Realtimes Network












