Carlos Sainz has notably left Lewis Hamilton out of his list of 2025 title contenders, despite him taking his seat at Ferrari next season.
Instead, Sainz named Max Verstappen, Lando Norris, Charles Leclerc, and George Russell as the main challengers, raising questions about Ferrari’s high-profile signing.
“I don’t know [who’s going to win the championship this year],” he said. “I think it will be among those first three you have said [Verstappen, Norris, Leclerc].
“If Mercedes makes a good car, I would put Russell in too. I think he is at a very good level. Any of those can beat each other this year.”
Sainz’s omission comes as Ferrari decided not to renew his contract, opting for Hamilton instead. The Spaniard, who joined the team in 2021 when they were struggling in sixth place, played a crucial role in their resurgence.
In his final season, Ferrari won five races and secured 22 podiums-more than any other team – finishing just 14 points behind McLaren in the constructors’ standings.
With F1 regulations remaining stable for 2025, Ferrari is expected to remain a strong contender. However, Hamilton’s recent struggles and his age – 40 by next season-have sparked doubts over whether he can deliver the team’s first drivers’ title since 2007.
Sainz, meanwhile, will move to Williams alongside Alex Albon, meaning he will not be in the championship fight.
While he acknowledged Verstappen’s pursuit of a fifth consecutive title, Norris’s rise with McLaren, Leclerc’s growing challenge, and Russell’s potential if Mercedes improves, his silence on Hamilton suggests skepticism over his former team’s decision.
