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Why did Ferrari go for Carlos Sainz over Lewis Hamilton? Sky F1’s Martin Brundle has his say on Sainz, Daniel Ricciardo moves in, and more as the 2021 transfer market kicks in.
Has Ferrari taken the right step by signing Carlos Sainz? Is this the end of Lewis Hamilton’s talk ending his Formula 1 career in red? And has McLaren done an update by bringing in Daniel Ricciardo?
After a great day in the driver’s market with Sainz and Ricciardo’s great 2021 deals confirmed, Martin Brundle from Sky F1 gives his verdict …
Sainz to Ferrari: F1’s most famous team opts for youth
Sainz to Ferrari was the main news on Thursday, and it certainly wasn’t a pairing that could have predicted the start of a dizzying week in F1.
The 25-year-old Spaniard has big shoes to fill with four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel on his outing, but Brundle backs him up for success.
“It is obvious for Carlos Sainz to want to go to Ferrari at this stage of his career,” Brundle, in an interview with Sky Sports News‘Craig Slater said.
“He has a lot of experience despite his tender years, and I think it is a very good match with Charles Leclerc. He is a very dynamic and young duo and it is something to build on for the future.”
“For me, Sainz is the teammate who has pushed Max Verstappen the most so far in Formula 1 [at Toro Rosso in 2015]”
In addition to a lot of talent, Ferrari may feel that Sainz also brings less confrontation for Leclerc, his new de facto number one.
“Someone at Ferrari must think, ‘I don’t want to see my two cars crash into each other,’ as we saw in Brazil,” added Brundle. “I’m sure they can control Sainz better that way.”
2:24 Sebastian Vettel will leave Ferrari in late 2020, and here we see his best and worst moments in red.
Ferrari will have its youngest driver lineup in more than 50 years next season, and F1’s most famous and successful team is now being “rebuilt,” according to Brundle.
“[But] even if it takes two or three years [to challenge for titles]Sainz can afford it. Sebastian couldn’t afford that time, he had lost his enthusiasm for the team and a little bit of belief, and vice versa, I think that’s why they broke up with the company.
“If I were in Sainz’s position, I wouldn’t have hesitated to take this opportunity. You have to take it with a team like Ferrari knocking on your door.”
Why not Hamilton? Is a Ferrari now moving off the table?
Hamilton to Ferrari has been disputed for some time, however, even after Vettel confirmed his departure, it was never really a possibility for 2021.
Did it make sense to either party?
“Lewis made it clear in the interviews we had done, in the conversations we had with him, that his future [was with Mercedes]”Brundle said.
“They will continue to be the team to beat and he will continue to be the man to beat in this shorter season.”
0:52 Felipe Massa reflects on what it would have meant to win the F1 world title in front of his Brazilian fans if Lewis Hamilton had not denied him the championship in the incredible final lap of the 2008 season.
“It would be electric to see Hamilton in a Ferrari, but I don’t think it suits Lewis at the moment. He is 35 years old, and we are talking about young weapons in his first 20 years that Ferrari is focusing on.”
“I don’t necessarily think Ferrari wanted to pair Leclerc with Hamilton.”
Will Hamilton, whose Mercedes contract expires in late 2020, ever race in F1’s famous red?
“Now I don’t think so. But never say never, this is a strange old business.”
Ricciardo to McLaren: Renault’s stay comes to an end
Not long ago, Ricciardo was F1’s most popular out-of-contract property.
However, after a trade in left field from Red Bull to Renault for 2019, he will now be back on the move, taking Sainz’s place at McLaren starting in 2021.
“You haven’t enjoyed it there [at Renault]”Brundle explained.” I hardly remember seeing Daniel last season. We used to see him all the time with that big flip-flop smile, but for some reason it just didn’t work for him there.
“The car didn’t play in its specialty as the last of the last brakes.”
“Maybe he likes it better than the McLaren and the incoming Mercedes engine [will be competitive]Perhaps you are concerned about where Renault will be in the future.
“It is a lateral movement, but Daniel has obviously seen something at Renault that does not fill him with confidence in the future.”
But will McLaren be happy with his side of the deal: losing Sainz but winning a seven-time winner at Ricciardo?
“Daniel brings more experience and obviously a lot more career wins for McLaren. McLaren is probably thinking he has had a net profit depending on what he has to pay him.”
“It will certainly be the laughing team with Daniel and Lando Norris!”
What happens now with Renault … and Vettel?
Renault was left as the stranger to F1’s merry-go-round, and the French team has yet to confirm who will replace Ricciardo. Although some major drivers have been linked.
“I know Sebastian [Vettel] He was talking to at least one team, so clearly retirement is not absolutely on his mind, “said Brundle, who earlier this week stated that there was a” good chance “that Vettel would withdraw from F1.
“You have to have a shot at Renault if you want, that’s a working team. But it would worry you in the future. Renault will be the only rangers, they will be the only people using Renault engines from 2021 on.”
“I think Alonso is desperate to return to Formula 1, he will throw his hat in the ring somewhere. Could it be a third trip to Renault for him?
“If I had to make money right now, I think it could be Sebastian’s swan, but we don’t know, and he still has great speed. It depends on how much money Renault has to spend and where Formula 1 is located.” after these difficult times. “
But Brundle also believes Vettel will be shooting in 2020 at Ferrari.
“I hope to see a very tough and fast Sebastian Vettel. I would not underestimate him at all.
“He will run for Seb, I don’t think he is paying too much attention to what is happening around him and he certainly will not care too much about Charles Leclerc’s ambition.”
And why all these offers are interesting for F1 2020 …
“It is very strange where we are announcing so many 2021 pilots and we have not yet started 2020,” added Brundle. “There are many races in your current team.
“Can you imagine how many team orders Vettel will pay attention to this year? He was not interested last year and is now leaving the team.”
“Sainz could be wheel to wheel with a Ferrari and they make contact, or Ricciardo could be wheel to wheel with a McLaren and crash.”
“There will be some weird stories before they finally make these moves that we’re talking about today.”
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