Damon Hill questions whether signing Carlos Sainz, who was “taken over” from Ferrari, makes “political” sense for Lewis Hamilton's former Mercedes team.
Hamilton added fuel to F1's foolish season by announcing earlier this month that he had told Toto Wolff that he would be leaving Mercedes for Ferrari next season.
The ramifications of this decision affected Sainz, with the Spaniard now missing out on the 2025 Championship. Ferrari has already re-signed Charles Leclerc.
“I think politically, it might not be as attractive to them.”
However, Sainz is not expected to be unemployed for long.
Sauber, whose links with Sauber, which will become Audi in 2026, is widely known, is said to be on Red Bull's list as well as Mercedes as a direct replacement for Hamilton.
But Hill doesn't see that happening.
“If you think about Carlos Sainz, he comes from Ferrari. Would Mercedes be comfortable taking a player who wasn't rejected but was passed over anyway?” 1996 World Champion Sky Sports He is said to have said this:
“So I think politically it might not be very attractive to them.”
His fellow Sky Sports pundit and former driver Martin Brundle agrees.
“The question is, if you are Mercedes-Benz, he was kicked out of Ferrari, do you want to do that,” said the former F1 driver.
“Does it have the right sense to embrace Ferrari's abandonment?
“Even if it was for Lewis Hamilton. That's the cruel side of this production. I think this kid is world class and I think he'll get a good seat.”
Instead, Hill believes Mercedes should look to Alex Albon, who is the right fit.
“I think Alex Albon fits very well in that team. I think he's mature, he has experience, and he's still young and fast.
“And I think he will fit in very well with the Mercedes team, understand the culture, have a good relationship with George, be fast and be able to bring points.”
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Carlos Sainz: 'No hard feelings' towards Hamilton or Ferrari
Although it seemed like it was only a matter of time before he re-signed with the team, Sainz, despite losing his race seat, said: “I have no hard feelings towards Hamilton and Ferrari team boss Fred Vasseur. No,” he said.
He even said it was “no surprise” that Hamilton would want to race for the Scuderia.
Sainz told media outlets including PlanetF1.com in Bahrain: “For me personally, I obviously have no hard feelings towards anyone.” “I think this is how sports work.
“Obviously, I have a lot of respect for Lewis, his success and obviously his choice to join Ferrari. I would have done the same thing if I was in his position.
“I think Ferrari is a great team and I don't know where he is now at some point later in his career or ultimately. That's only for him to know, but definitely that's the team you want to be with. ”, so I fully understand that.
“and [with] If you know someone like Fred, have a good relationship with him and trust him, it's easy to go to Ferrari.
“Obviously, from my perspective, like I said, there are no hard feelings. I'm focused on my future and where I'm going to go next and in the meantime [I will] Please continue to do your best for this team. ”
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