Villeneuve: Ferrari Has Declined Since Sainz's Departure

Jacques Villeneuve, the 1997 F1 World Champion, suggests that Ferrari has been on a 'downhill' trajectory in recent races, attributing this to the departure of Carlos Sainz. Villeneuve emphasizes Sainz's unique ability to elevate entire teams, a quality he believes has been consistently demonstrated throughout his career and is now evident in Ferrari's performance post-Sainz.

Why it matters:

Carlos Sainz's move to Williams at the end of 2024 has sparked debate about his impact on team performance. Villeneuve's strong assertion that Ferrari's recent struggles are linked to Sainz's absence highlights the Spanish driver's often-underestimated influence beyond just raw pace. This perspective offers a critical lens on team dynamics and the value of a driver who can "make the whole team go better."

The Details:

• Sainz's Impact on Teams: Villeneuve argues that Sainz possesses a distinct capability to improve the overall performance of any team he joins. He notes that while Sainz might take half a season to get up to speed in a new environment, his methodical work and feedback actively enhance the team's operations, ultimately benefiting both himself and his teammates.
• Consistent Pattern: According to Villeneuve, a consistent pattern emerges: every team Sainz has left has subsequently experienced a decline in performance. He explicitly states, "Every time he left a team, that team went downhill. Every time. And it’s the same with Ferrari now."
• Ferrari's Recent Struggles: Villeneuve points to Ferrari's performances since the summer break as evidence. He cites the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, which was anticipated to be a strong weekend for Ferrari but fell short of expectations. Similarly, the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, historically a good track for Charles Leclerc, turned out to be one of Ferrari's worst this year. This indicates a recent dip in form for the Scuderia.
• Sainz's Williams Success: In contrast to Ferrari's perceived decline, Sainz has found early success with Williams, securing his first podium with the team in Azerbaijan, demonstrating his continued ability to drive team improvement.

Between the lines:

Villeneuve's commentary suggests that Sainz's value extends beyond immediate lap times. His "behind-the-scenes" work in developing the car and providing crucial feedback is, in this view, a significant factor in a team's competitiveness. While Charles Leclerc is widely regarded as Ferrari's star driver, Villeneuve implies that Sainz's contributions were integral to the team's overall performance, even if not always reflected in individual race results. The continuity provided by Fred Vasseur's re-signing has not, according to Villeneuve, translated into improved on-track performance for Ferrari post-Sainz's impending departure.

What's next:

Ferrari currently sits third in the Constructors' Championship, just four points behind Mercedes. While Villeneuve believes a "perfect beginning" could still be possible for Ferrari in the 2026 era with Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, the immediate future sees the team needing to reverse its current 'downhill' trend. The Singapore Grand Prix will be a crucial test for Ferrari to demonstrate resilience and disprove the notion that Sainz's impending absence is already impacting their form.