Carlos Sainz — 2024 season

Carlos Sainz's 2024 Formula 1 season with Scuderia Ferrari was a compelling narrative of resilience and opportunistic brilliance, culminating in two victories and a fifth-place finish in the Drivers' Championship despite the backdrop of his impending departure from the team.

Going in

The 2024 season unfolded within the ground-effect era, characterized by tunnel-floor aerodynamics and 18-inch wheels, a period where Red Bull had largely dominated in 2022 and 2023. However, 2024 saw the field notably close up, promising a more competitive landscape. For Carlos Sainz, the season began with the unique circumstance of knowing his contract with Ferrari would not be renewed beyond the year, a decision that placed him firmly in the driver market. This situation, rather than proving a distraction, appeared to galvanize his performances, setting the stage for a season where he would consistently demonstrate his value.

How it played out

Sainz's year was marked by a strong start and significant highlights. He opened the season with a podium finish, securing P3 at the Bahrain Grand Prix from a P4 grid slot. His first victory came early at the Australian Grand Prix, where he started P2 and converted it into a win, showcasing Ferrari's potential and his own race management capabilities. This was followed by another P3 at the Japanese Grand Prix. While there were some mid-season challenges, including a DNF at the Canadian Grand Prix due to collision damage and a subsequent DNF at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix from a P3 grid position, Sainz maintained a high level of performance. He accumulated a total of 290 points, securing 9 podium finishes across the 23 races. His consistency was a hallmark, often extracting the maximum from the Ferrari package, even as the competitive order ebbed and flowed throughout the Formula 1 — official site season.

Defining moments

The Australian Grand Prix stands out as an early season masterclass. Starting from the front row, Sainz delivered a composed drive to take his first win of the year, a crucial statement of intent given his contract situation. Later in the season, the Mexican Grand Prix provided another high point, with Sainz starting from pole position and expertly managing the race to claim his second victory. These wins were complemented by other strong performances, such as his P3 finishes at the Monaco Grand Prix and the Austrian Grand Prix, circuits demanding precision and strategic thinking. Conversely, the represented a setback, where a collision curtailed his race from a promising grid position, highlighting the fine margins in this competitive era of .