Carlos Sainz has publicly requested to be excluded from ongoing discussions regarding internal unrest at Ferrari. The Williams driver’s comments follow recent statements from Lewis Hamilton, who reportedly involved Sainz in his critique of Charles Leclerc.
Hamilton, who joined Ferrari for the 2025 season, has reportedly expressed dissatisfaction with the team’s operational structure and development pace during the 2026 campaign. This has led to speculation of internal tension within the Maranello squad.
Leclerc is currently absent from the São Paulo Grand Prix, having taken paternity leave for the impending birth of his first child. Ferrari confirmed in October 2026 that Robert Shwartzman would deputise for him at both the São Paulo and Las Vegas Grands Prix.
Sainz, when questioned about the situation at Ferrari, indicated his discomfort with being drawn into the team’s current dynamics. He stated that he had already been mentioned multiple times in the ongoing narrative.
“Hey, I don’t drive there anymore. Leave me out of it!”
The Spaniard’s remarks were directed primarily at Hamilton, rather than the media. Sainz also expressed disinterest in reflecting on his previous tenure with Ferrari, citing sufficient personal experience during his time there.
Sainz joined Williams at the start of the 2025 season on a multi-year deal. The 2026 season has seen Williams continue to struggle for consistent points, often battling at the rear of the midfield.
The Williams driver also subtly disapproved of Hamilton’s public approach to the Ferrari situation. Sainz highlighted that team politics at Ferrari are inherently more complex than at other racing outfits due to the pressure of competing for victories.
He noted his own preference for keeping internal matters out of the media, suggesting that Hamilton’s public comments are a deliberate strategy. Media reports in late 2026 suggested Hamilton’s public statements were an attempt to exert pressure on Team Principal Frédéric Vasseur.
Hamilton reportedly sought a more decisive leadership approach to address perceived performance deficits within the team. Sainz concluded that it is up to Ferrari to resolve its internal issues.
Earlier in the São Paulo Grand Prix weekend, Sainz missed the first free practice session. Williams Academy driver Luke Browning made his official F1 Free Practice debut, replacing Sainz in FP1.
Browning completed 12 laps during the session, setting a best time of 1:13.456, which placed him 19th. Sainz cited two issues affecting his weekend: missing FP1 and limited running due to an older power unit.
Williams has adopted a conservative power unit component usage strategy throughout the 2026 season to avoid grid penalties. This approach has drawn criticism, with some analysts suggesting that a penalty for a fresh engine might be more beneficial for a backmarker team.
The team is reportedly awaiting a significant Mercedes power unit upgrade, which is anticipated for the upcoming Las Vegas Grand Prix. Sainz was informed before the 2024 season that he would not be retained by Ferrari for 2025, yet he concluded his final season with the team strongly, including a victory at the 2024 Mexican Grand Prix.
