Carlos Sainz has declared he is "100 percent convinced" that he is as capable as both Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, as he prepares to leave Ferrari against his will at the end of the season.
Seven-time world champion Hamilton will replace Sainz at Ferrari in 2025, with the Spaniard heading to Williams. As a gesture of goodwill, Ferrari team boss Frederic Vasseur has allowed Sainz an early start with Williams in the post-Abu Dhabi GP test.
"The story with Carlos is that I want to thank Carlos for the collaboration. I don't want to block him," Vasseur explained. "I think he did a very good job with us this season and a very professional one because it would have been easy to have a not-so-professional attitude.
"For me, the best way to thank Carlos was also to give him the opportunity to do the test with Williams," Vasseur added.
Sainz will even take part in a filming day on the Monday following the Abu Dhabi GP before returning to the Williams for the official start of the post-season test on Tuesday.
Williams driver Alex Albon, who will partner Sainz next year, is eager to benefit from the Spaniard's insight.
"I wish I could say more, but I think once Abu Dhabi happens, I'll be very keen to hear his feedback on the car," said Albon. "See where his head's at compared to Ferrari.
"Obviously, he'll have a very fresh mind of driving the Ferrari and then coming into Williams, knowing where our strengths are and where our weaknesses are.
"At the same time, I've spent now three years at Williams, and it's nice to almost have someone a little bit fresher than me. And of course, I know he will push me," added Albon.
As Sainz prepares to close his four-year tenure at Ferrari, he is keen to assert that Vasseur isn't necessarily upgrading by bringing in Hamilton.
"I am 100 percent convinced that in my best form, I am the best," Sainz told Corriere della Sera. "It is very difficult to beat me—the example is Mexico.
"I just have to improve in consistency. Charles has been more consistent at the highest level, as has Hamilton."
When asked about Max Verstappen's claim that he could have won the 2024 title earlier in a McLaren or Ferrari, Sainz praised the Red Bull driver's achievements.
"His season was not only phenomenal, it was one of the best in F1 history," said Sainz. "As for the car, I should drive it." body check tags ::
