Former Formula 1 driver Karun Chandhok is baffled that Carlos Sainz will be at Williams next year after putting in a dominant performance for Ferrari at the Mexico City Grand Prix at the weekend, Afrosport reports.
The Spaniard started Sunday’s race from pole position and despite losing the lead at the start to Max Verstappen, he was able to regain the lead on lap nine and took control until the end.
It was Sainz’s second win of the season after winning in Australia but he will not be at the Scuderia next year as Mercedes driver and seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton will take his seat.
Sainz opted to join midfield team Williams as top teams in Mercedes decided to replace Hamilton with youngster Kimi Antonelli while Red Bull opted to keep struggling Sergio Perez for 2025.
“A midfield team attracting a driver from a top team is very rare,” Chandhok told Sky Sports F1 per Crash.net.
“It’s a massive coup for [Williams team principal] James Vowles and the team, a brilliant job to get him there.
“I still feel it’s a shame we won’t see him in a Red Bull or a Mercedes next year.
“It’s baffling that he’s not going to be in a top four seat next year.
“The guy is delivering at the top level. It’s baffling.”
Sainz sits fifth in the drivers’ championship with 240 points. He is behind Max Verstappen, Lando Norris, Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc and Oscar Piastri.
He is ahead of Mercedes duo Lewis Hamilton and George Russell as well as Sergio Perez and two-time world champion Fernando Alonso.
