Carlos Sainz made clear his intention to stay in Formula 1 for as long as possible, and admitted not understanding drivers who consider voluntarily leaving the category. The statement directly contrasts with Max Verstappen’s stance, who had considered the possibility of retiring before recently renewing with Red Bull Racing until the end of 2030.
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At almost 32 years old, Sainz renewed his contract with Williams for another two years and sees examples like Fernando Alonso, Lewis Hamilton, and Nico Hulkenberg as proof that it is possible to compete at a high level for a long time. The Spaniard also mentioned his own father, Carlos Sainz, who at 63 remains competitive and won the Dakar Rally two years ago.
This position of the Williams driver is different from that adopted by Verstappen during recent negotiations with Red Bull. The four-time world champion even stated that he was ‘closer to retiring than to changing teams,’ although he signed a contract that keeps him at Red Bull until the end of 2030. Verstappen has also declared that he does not intend to compete in F1 until he is 40 years old, as Alonso and Hamilton have done.
Sainz, on the other hand, believes that physical care and motivation can greatly extend a career in the top motorsport category: “If you take care of your physical condition and maintain strong motivation, you can extend your career for a long time,” the Spaniard told Autosport, adding that it is necessary to be mentally well to also handle travel, marketing, and media commitments.
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When asked about his own future, Sainz was straightforward about his desire to continue: “At this moment, yes. I think I will stay in Formula 1 for as long as I can. I don’t understand people who say ‘no’,” he added.
“I like playing golf, cycling, playing padel, and challenging myself with business activities, but even combining all that, they still don’t give me the same satisfaction as being where I am today,” Sainz continued. The driver acknowledged that the 24 races and additional commitments represent a considerable load: “When I go to sleep at night, I remind myself that I wouldn’t trade all of this for anything in the world,” the Spaniard concluded.
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