Ferrari bid farewell to Carlos Sainz with an emotional non-public occasion in Maranello final Tuesday, marking the top of their four-year partnership. The Italian crew additionally welcomed the press for the standard Christmas luncheon to mirror on the previous season and focus on the upcoming one, which kicks off within the factories this January, aiming for each the Constructors’ and Drivers’ Championships. Frederic Vasseur took the chance to spotlight the Spanish driver’s significance within the crew’s improvement.
Frederic Vasseur Organized Carlos Sainz’s Farewell; Charles Leclerc Attended
This 12 months has been family-centric for Ferrari. In Abu Dhabi, Charles Leclerc shared the monitor with his brother Arthur throughout the first free observe session, with Arthur changing Carlos Sainz. On Tuesday, Fiorano hosted a proper farewell for Sainz, with an occasion personally orchestrated by Workforce Principal Frederic Vasseur. The Frenchman organized a special day the place Carlos Sainz Sr and his son shared the monitor, driving the F1-75. For the primary time in his life, Sainz Sr acquired behind the wheel of a Ferrari System 1 automotive, sharing a poignant remaining second in purple along with his son.
The occasion was attended by crew members who had labored alongside the Spaniard over the previous 4 years, together with his race engineer, Riccardo Adami. Frederic Vasseur was additionally current, together with Charles Leclerc, who attended voluntarily to spend time with Carlos Sainz one final time at Maranello and be a part of his farewell. Sainz Sr thanked Ferrari for the 4 years, changing into emotional, identical to his son, who bid farewell to the manufacturing unit employees after taking to the monitor in Fiorano.
Frederic Vasseur: “Melbourne Was the Most Emotional Second of 2024; Sainz Was Skilled Till the Final Lap”
In the course of the Christmas luncheon in Maranello, Frederic Vasseur confirmed that the Fiorano laps have been Ferrari’s method of claiming goodbye to Carlos Sainz, along with his father additionally current. “I feel it was one of the best ways to thank them for every part they’ve carried out for the crew, together with Carlos Sainz Sr,” mentioned Fred Vasseur. The previous Renault and Alfa Romeo boss expressed gratitude to Carlos Sainz for his or her two seasons collectively, noting: “We had two nice seasons collectively, and I feel he had 4 nice seasons with Ferrari.”
Reflecting on current seasons, Frederic Vasseur highlighted key moments, together with the 2023 victory. “For me, probably the most emotional second of the complete season was Melbourne, the place he received the race only a week after present process surgical procedure for appendicitis. Final 12 months, we had that nice constructive stretch after the summer time break with the pole place in Monza and the win in Singapore.” – the Ferrari crew boss identified.
Discussing Carlos Sainz’s broader influence, Frederic Vasseur emphasised his contributions past race outcomes. “His enter was crucial for the crew’s enchancment,” he acknowledged. He additionally praised Carlos Sainz’s professionalism, even after being knowledgeable of their parting methods earlier than the season started. “I do know it wasn’t a simple state of affairs for him after I needed to name him in February. But it surely’s price noting how he managed to take care of a really skilled method all year long, totally dedicated to preventing till the final nook of the final lap of the ultimate race” – the French supervisor concluded.