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Carlos Sainz will leave Ferrari at the end of the season to make way for Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton. If he takes Imola, Ferrari may need to reconsider their decision.
The upcoming Imola Grand Prix could be pivotal for Ferrari, according to Veteran F1 Journalist and RacingNews365 Lead Editor Ian Parkes. A Sainz victory could lead to widespread questioning of the team’s commitment to Charles Leclerc.
Although Sainz missed the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix due to appendicitis, he is only 15 points behind his teammate. His win at the Australian Grand Prix remains Ferrari’s only victory this season.
Sainz’s Statement
In a recent episode of the RacingNews365 podcast, Parkes predicted a Sainz victory at Imola, suggesting that such a triumph would send a strong message to Ferrari.
“On a weekend when Ferrari sweep back into Italy… Carlos is going to go hell for leather and say: ‘you know what guys, this is why you should have kept me,’” Parkes said.
F1 journalist Samuel Coop further explored the potential ramifications of a Sainz Imola win, questioning whether Ferrari fans might start doubting the decision to retain Leclerc over him.
Parkes agrees, indicating that a victory could reignite debates about Ferrari’s driver choices, especially with the anticipated arrival of seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton.
Potential for Backlash
Fred Vasseur, Ferrari Team Principal, has been steadfast in his reasoning for signing Hamilton, emphasising the long-term benefits of his success. Parkes acknowledged the difficulty of letting Sainz go but affirmed that the Frenchman sees Leclerc as the better long-term option.
However, Parkes pointed out the potential for immediate backlash should Sainz perform well at Imola: “If Carlos goes and wins, the fans are gonna be saying: ‘why him, why have we let him go, why have we retained Charles? Because he’s the guy that’s won us, not only the last two grand prix, could be three grand prix if he goes and wins in Imola.”
The upcoming home race for the team thus carries significant weight for Ferrari’s internal dynamics and future direction. One thing is clear: all eyes will be on Sainz and Leclerc.
Photo Credit: Chris Graythen/Getty Images