Ferrari give Sainz and his rally champion father special send-off with F1 track day at Fiorano

Ferrari have bid farewell to Carlos Sainz in memorable style by hosting a track day for the Spaniard and his rally driver father, Carlos Sainz Senior, which saw both of them get behind the wheel of the squad’s 2022 car, the F1-75.

Following on from Sainz competing in his last race for the Scuderia in Abu Dhabi, the 30-year-old headed to the Fiorano track on Tuesday along with Sainz Snr, with the latter ready to make his debut in a Ferrari Formula 1 car.

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Having last driven a Grand Prix car nearly 20 years ago, Sainz Snr spun the F1-75 initially but went on to put in several consistent laps. His son also soon headed out on track in the car with which he claimed his first F1 win at the 2022 British Grand Prix.

The pair went on to do some laps in formation before then trying out the historic 735 LM, which competed in the likes of the Mille Miglia and the Le Mans 24 Hours. It was fittingly built in 1955, matching Sainz Jnr’s #55 race number.

After the day’s activities, the Sainz family were joined by members of the Ferrari team – including Charles Leclerc and Team Principal Fred Vasseur – for a group photo, providing a picture-perfect end to Sainz’s four-year stint with the Scuderia.

BEYOND THE GRID: Sainz on his Ferrari journey, losing his seat to Hamilton and preparing for the next chapter at Williams

The man from Madrid first joined the Italian outfit back in 2021 following the departure of Sebastian Vettel, and went on to beat team mate Leclerc in the drivers’ championship during that season.

From there he went on to score his first victory at Silverstone in 2022, which he followed up with a win at the 2023 Singapore Grand Prix – making him the only non-Red Bull driver to stand on the top step in that season – as well as two triumphs in 2024 in Australia and Mexico City.

Sainz has also achieved a total of 25 podium finishes with Ferrari and 900.5 points in his 88 races for the squad.

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With Lewis Hamilton’s arrival at the team in 2025 announced prior to this year’s campaign even getting under way, Sainz was left looking for a new venture – and after months of speculation, it was confirmed that he would join Williams next season to partner Alex Albon.