Sainz: I honestly don't think Lewis Hamilton is better than me

Life changed for the 29-year-old Spaniard on 1 February 2024 when Ferrari confirmed Hamilton's signature was secured, and Charles Leclerc would remain at Maranello to welcome the Briton as his teammate. Sainz was out.

The odd man out yet again. Much like the time when Red Bull faced a dilemma, Sainz or Max Verstappen for Red Bull promotion. According to Helmut Marko, it was a very close call but the Dutchman got the nod. Carlos was out.

As for his ousting from Maranello, and comparisons to his replacement Hamilton, in an interview with GQ Spain, when asked if Hamilton is better than him, Sainz replied: "I honestly don't think so, obviously not. Just like if you ask the other 18 drivers this question they will answer the same thing.

"I think I am the best option for any Formula 1 team because if I didn't have this mentality I wouldn't be a Formula 1 driver and I wouldn't have the competitive spirit that I have. And the other drivers will answer the same thing," ventured Sainz.

Pragmatic and smart, Sainz is on board with the Hamilton scoop from Mercedes by the Reds: "I obviously understand Ferrari's decision, the opportunity to sign a seven-time F1 world champion and what that can entail and attract a team.

"That's why, when I've looked at it in a reflective way, it hasn't hurt me so much. Because in the end it's not that any other driver is replacing you, but you're replacing the best driver in the history of this sport, or one of the best drivers in the history of this sport.

"And in the end, if I have to be replaced by one, let it be that one," reckoned Sainz in the slick manner that only endears him even to those who did him a bad one.

As for not becoming F1 World Champion in the Red of Ferrari, Sainz explained: "When you realise that you don't have a car to win a world championship. The moment you realise that the car isn't good enough to win a world championship, you make peace with yourself.

"If I had had a car these years to win a F1 world championship and I hadn't won it, then it would have been harder for me to accept that I had the opportunity and I didn't take advantage of it.

"Focusing on the positive, I did have a car to win some races and I have won some races. I have had some [5] pole positions and some [3] victories. Above all, many [21] podiums for this team," ventured Sainz.

Talk turned to his time with Verstappen, who in the end was chosen above Sainz to eventually lead Red Bull and his three titles already bagged as a result of the choices made by Helmut Marko and Christian Horner at the time.

Looking back on 2015 and 2016, and the 23 races as Verstappen's teammate at Toro Rosso, Sainz said: "I had a good first year in Formula 1 in 2015, maybe back then it was not yet known, people did not fully realise the talent and great potential that Max had as a driver and what he has become.

"He is a three-time world champion, on his way to his fourth and I would even dare to say his fifth, if Red Bull continues like this. We have to value that first year I had against him and how things went."

A final question: The best thing you take away from all these years at Ferrari? Sainz replied: "Above all, it was the people I worked with. In the end, that's what you'll remember: your friends and the people you work with.

"And obviously the successes, which are those three victories. The fact I got the first [F1] victory of my life, having achieved it with Ferrari on a circuit like Silverstone, the victory in Singapore and above all the one in Australia, which was a great moment after the operation. The successes and the people, that's what I'll remember."

On 1 September, Sainz will turn 30 that Sunday. The same day as the 2024 Italian Grand Prix. Imagine he wins at Monza on his birthday! Just to say thank you to Tifosi and remind all that Ferrari may have released the wrong Charlie. Carlos will race for Williams in 2025. Charles 'welcomes' Lewis to Maranello.