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Carlos Sainz again shows his class with reaction to Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari struggles

Originally posted on HITC | By David Comerford | Last updated Nov 28, 2025 6:41 AM ET

Spaniard refuses to take credit as Hamilton battles a tough debut season in red

Lewis Hamilton’s first year at Ferrari has offered little validation for the team’s decision to replace Carlos Sainz. While Hamilton waited months for his first podium, Sainz secured one almost immediately with Williams. Ferrari’s car has taken a clear step back from last season, and Charles Leclerc’s winless campaign underlines the team’s struggles. Still, Sainz remains adamant that Hamilton’s difficulties do nothing to enhance his own reputation.

Sainz insists that he only measures success through what he achieves at Williams—not through what Ferrari or his successor fail to deliver. And despite outperforming Leclerc consistently last year, he refuses to revel in Hamilton’s early disappointment. Instead, he has chosen calm professionalism while many in the paddock fuel the narrative of rivalry and vindication.

Photo by Jayce Illman/Getty Images

Sainz defends Hamilton and highlights the challenge of adapting

Speaking to AS, Sainz dismissed the idea that Hamilton’s poor season reflects positively on him. He stressed that critics overlook the sheer difficulty of joining a new team, especially when racing alongside an elite talent like Leclerc. Sainz noted that fans enjoy the “drama” of comparing a seven-time world champion to his predecessor, but argued that the competitive landscape in F1 is simply too close for simplistic conclusions.

The Spaniard made clear that he “sides with Lewis,” explaining that the transition into a new car and environment is far tougher than observers realise. Even when part of him felt wronged after losing his Ferrari seat, he never wished the team or Hamilton harm. Instead, he has consistently defended Hamilton publicly and urged patience as the Briton acclimatises.

Montoya says Ferrari should take notes from Sainz’s Williams success

Sainz’s own season has flipped dramatically. After the Italian GP, he was stuck in 18th with just 16 points while Alex Albon sat seventh with 70. Since then, Sainz has outscored Albon 32–3 and climbed toward the top 10, asserting himself inside Williams as the stronger performer.

Speaking to AS Colombia, Juan Pablo Montoya praised how openly Williams has listened to Sainz’s technical input—something he believes contrasts sharply with Ferrari’s more rigid approach. Montoya argued that the difference in results between Sainz in a receptive Williams and Hamilton in a stubborn Ferrari speaks for itself.

As Montoya put it, Sainz has adapted brilliantly to the car, while Ferrari may need to rethink how much weight they give to driver feedback going forward.

This article first appeared on HITC and was syndicated with permission.

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