The Singapore Grand Prix is one to go down in history as it was the most memorable of the 2023 season with many exciting moments to come out of this race. For 14 years straight, Grand Prix’ Redbull has had an unbeatable streak with wins. Their star driver, Max Verstappen, winning almost every race while the other teams would fight for P2 or P3 to at least get a podium finish. This race was different however as Verstappen wasn’t the one leading the race. Spaniard Ferrari driver, Carlos Sainz Jr., surprised everyone with his strategy this race, leading him to his victory as the first non-redbull driver to win P1 in the 2023 season breaking their winning streak. However, this came as no easy task as he had to fight to maintain his position as the one leading the race. His biggest competitors were the Mercedes drivers George Russell and Lewis Hamilton. He would spend majority of the race fending off Russell who wanted to move past him but Sainz didn’t back down and held his position. He would later decide to recruit some help from his former teammate Lando Norris who drives for McLaren. Norris would act as a shield to fend off Russell and in return Sainz would help Norris get a DRS which in basic terms means give him a speed boost.
This strategy would prove effective as in the last laps Russell would spin out and lose control of the car leading to him not being able to finish the race. His teammate, Lewis Hamilton, would later win P3. This was the race of the year with its intensity and camaraderie. The Spaniard would celebrate his second win in his career in Formula 1 with his team and former teammate Lando Norris with McLaren. This was the race to erase any doubts over the driver as he was able to show his skills and quick thinking over any situation. As my favorite driver, this race made me excited for his future races and what’s to come. This smooth operator will continue to keep everyone on their toes, including me.
Former Teammates come together to take down the Bull
“Carlando” as the fans call them had a very exciting night during the Singapore Grand Prix with them finishing P1 and P2 respectfully. Sainz didn’t have his teammate, Charles Leclerc, to be his rear gunner but he did have his bestfriend and former teammate Lando Norris. Norris would have no objection acting as a shield for Saniz as it would benefit him as well.
The two worked together to maintain their positions for the last couple of laps left of the race and left fans with a nostalgic feeling of when they were still teammates. “I think we should buy each other drinks,” Sainz said.
Where will Sainz’ story take him now?
With the recent news of Mercedes Driver Lewis Hamilton leaving the team in 2025 for a seat in Ferrari, people (myself included) have been asking what this means for the Spaniard driver. As we know, Sainz has been in Ferrari since the 2020 season and was expected to go into the 2026 season with them but many are now doubting this information to be true. His teammate, Charles Leclerc, was already confirmed to be with Ferrari in the 2025 season and we have no news for Sainz’ future as of today. Many fans are coming up with possible teams the Spaniard could move to with the most popular being Audi. While it may be possible, Audi is expected to join Formula 1 in 2026, so that would mean Sainz would miss a whole season without a seat on the grid. Many others are hoping for a revenge type of situation and are expecting Sainz to join the Merecedes team as they will now have a spot open with their star driver leaving. Until it is announced by either Carlos or his team, we won’t have an official answer and we are left with theorizing and hoping for the best. While the Spaniard may seem like the underdog, always playing the support role for his teammate, he is an exceptional driver with the skills to win. His nickname on the track, smooth operator, is well deserved as he has always put his 100% in every race that he is in. No matter the team, I hope we get to see more of the Spaniard as this is only the start of his career and it will only get better from here.
