Celebrating four seasons

Carlos Sainz Jr was given an emotional send-off at the Fiorano Circuit as Ferrari bid him farewell following four seasons with the Prancing Horse.

The Spanish driver joined Ferrari in 2021 after two seasons at McLaren. Sainz leaves the Italian giants after competing in 88 races across four seasons, securing four wins, six pole positions and 25 podium finishes in that period. He departs for Williams next season and will be replaced by seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton.

Sainz family take to the track

Joined by his father Carlos Sainz Sr, the two Spanish drivers were met at Fiorano by two 2022 F1-75s with Sainz Sr getting behind the wheel of a Ferrari Formula One car for the first time.

The two-time World Rally Champion had previous experience driving an F1 car over 20 years ago, and although he initially found it challenging on Ferrari’s test track spinning the car, he was soon able to find his rhythm and clocked several consistent lap times. His son then took to the track, reacquainting himself with the same car he secured his first ever F1 victory in at Silverstone in 2022. Father and son then went back on track for some laps in formation.

The Sainz duo then switched from modern to historic, getting behind the wheel of a 1995 735 LM, which had been raced in the Mille Miglia and 24 Hours of Le Mans.

There was then time for a final group photo featuring Sainz Jr and Snr, Charles Leclerc, Fred Vasseur and Ferrari’s engineers.

words: Mike Booth
pictures: Scuderia Ferrari