All Things Sports

“Maybe I should get my appendix removed too”- a phrase that Ferrari Formula 1 driver Carlos Sainz had all professional racing drivers saying after winning the Australian Grand Prix just two weeks after having an emergency procedure to get his appendix removed during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix weekend. Surely a man with quality like that has secured his long-term future in the sport, right? As of right now he does not have a confirmed seat for next season, let alone long-term. 

Welcome back to All Things Sports, this is the curious case of Carlos Sainz and the economics of F1. 

On February 1st, Ferrari dropped a nuclear bomb in the F1 world when they announced the signing of 7 time world champion driver Lewis Hamilton for the 2025 season. This meant that current Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz would be out of a seat. While many thought this unfair, they also recognized that the opportunity to sign Lewis Hamilton was something that was absolutely worth it. However, this argument isn’t entirely based on Hamilton’s ability behind the wheel. While he is certainly a top quality driver, he’s no longer the dominant force in F1 and the difference in skill between the 2 is arguably insignificant. Hamilton’s marketability, popularity, and narratives on the other hand, give him a huge advantage over every other driver on the grid. The economics were far better for Ferrari as Hamilton’s marketability gives them greater access to things like sponsors(if they didn’t have great access already). Although it wasn’t the driving factor, it’s something that is important for teams to consider. Still, you would think that the driver sitting 4th in the standings would have plenty of options for next year. Maybe he could take Hamilton’s seat at Mercedes? Well, they want to sign young Italian Kimi Antonelli as they believe he is the next Verstappen and they don’t want to pass up the opportunity to sign him. McLaren have a strong pairing in Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, both of whom are locked in long-term. Then there’s Red Bull. Sergio Perez’s contract expires at the end of the year and he hasn’t always been performing. But he has the backing of huge sponsors due to his connections that have brought him to F1 and his appeal to the Mexican fanbase. Thus, despite him only getting 4 points in the last 3 races despite having the best car on the grid, Red Bull announced that he would be extended for another 2 years. This meant that none of the top 4 teams would have a spot for him. What about Aston Martin? Fernando Alonso is locked in for next year and although Lance Stroll is arguably the worst driver on the grid at times, his dad owns the team so he isn’t going anywhere.Yet again the economics of F1 screw over Carlos Sainz. 

So that leaves him with two options: Sauber(soon to be Audi) who are currently dead last with 0 points so far or Williams who are 2nd to last with 2 points. To say that this is a fall from grace is quite possibly the understatement of the century. The only driver to beat Max Verstappen to a race win multiple times since 2023 will have to drive for one of the worst teams in Formula because of one thing: money. What does this show us? It shows that life can be cruel at times and that sports, especially a sport as resource intensive as F1, is a business. The one thing that trumps all is the almighty dollar(or whatever currency the team uses). I really wish Carlos Sainz had an opportunity to drive for one of the top teams, but this is the way it has broken for him. Maybe he does end up helping Williams or Sauber or maybe he takes a year off. Either way this story reminds me of a phrase that my dad loves to use: always follow the money.