March 24, (THEWILL). – Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz hailed his fighting Australian Grand Prix triumph on Sunday as the high point of a rollercoaster start to the 2024 Formula 1 season. The 29-year-old Spaniard faced adversity from the outset after being notified his contract would not be renewed to make way for Lewis Hamilton in 2025.
Despite the bombshell news, Sainz opened his account with a podium in Bahrain before appendicitis surgery forced him to miss the Saudi Arabian race. Doubts lingered over his return just two weeks later in Melbourne, but a strict recovery plan involving hyperbaric chamber sessions got him race-ready.
“It’s not only the last two weeks…it’s the whole start to the year, how it began with the news of the non-renewal”, reflected Sainz. “You get fit, push hard, then a good Bahrain podium. Suddenly, missing Jeddah with the operation. Lots of unknowns about being back feeling good with the car.”
His Australian GP victory capped an emotional few months. “Life’s a rollercoaster, but it can be nice sometimes. Just let it sink in and enjoy the moment”, Sainz said.
Teammate Charles Leclerc backed Sainz’s calibre: “He’s one of the highest-rated paddock drivers, extremely strong, and has shown it repeatedly…I’m sure he’ll have many opportunities.”
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Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
