Who misses whom more, Sainz to Ferrari or vice versa?: “There was a marketing problem with Hamilton”
With two thirds of the season already completed, it is becoming clear that Carlos Sainz is in better form than his replacement at Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton. Riccardo Patrese, former Italian driver, believes that the signing of the seven-time champion was more about marketing than anything else.
We cannot say that Carlos Sainz's season is going well, no matter how much the podium in Baku has renewed his prestige in the Formula 1 paddock. But it is equally true that the problems of the Spanish driver are not related to his speed or competitiveness, but rather to his mistakes or those of his team.
The case of Lewis Hamilton is different. The seven-time champion already went through a nightmare in his last season with Mercedes and this 2025 is nothing more than a copy of it, but dressed in red. A teammate who clearly surpasses him, numerous laments, and an inability to understand the car only confirm that Sainz's replacement at Ferrari has not managed to cope with the ground effect cars.
“In the last two races, Max Verstappen is still not dead”
Fortunately for Lewis Hamilton, everything will change radically in 2026 and he will have the opportunity to redeem himself, but for now, the euphoria generated among the tifosi upon learning of his signing has turned into disappointment and many are already demanding the return of Carlos Sainz.
Sainz always delivers and contributes
Riccardo Patrese, former Formula 1 driver, shares this view, considering that “Sainz always does a great job wherever he is. He left Ferrari, but he also had a very positive impact on the team.
The former driver of Arrows, Benetton, and Williams, among other teams, is clear that Hamilton's signing was more of a marketing operation than anything else, and that Sainz was the one affected. “There was a marketing problem with Lewis [Hamilton], who, of course, is a seven-time world champion. So someone had to go.
“But there is no doubt that, in all the teams he has been in, Carlos has been good,” Patrese reiterates in statements to Coinpoker.com. “I think he has once again proven that he can be very useful for any team”.
Verstappen is not dead
Riccardo Patrese has also commented on the battle for the drivers' world title. This seemed to be a matter for the McLaren drivers, but Max Verstappen's last two victories seem to have changed many people's perspective.
Patrese, again, is one of them, arguing that “what we have discovered in the last two races is that Max Verstappen is still not dead. He has given McLaren, Piastri, and Norris a lot to think about. I have never seen a race with so many mistakes as the one in Baku; the next one should not happen again.”
“After Piastri's mistakes, I thought Norris could go a bit further, perhaps not to win the race, but at least to get on the podium. But for some reason, he did not perform well. He missed the opportunity to catch up with Piastri,” he adds regarding what happened in Baku.
“Piastri still has the advantage in the championship because he has many points. But, from my experience, until you finish the championship, never say: ‘Okay, I am the winner.’ He must focus on his duel with Norris, but also on the threat from Verstappen,” Patrese considers.
Certainly, Oscar Piastri's lead over Max Verstappen is very considerable: 69 points. Despite everything, Patrese believes that the Dutchman has some chance and predicts a complicated decision for Andrea Stella, McLaren's director.
“That is the problem Andrea Stella is facing. If Verstappen continues like this in the next two races, he might win one. Then McLaren will have to say: ‘Now we need team orders.’ McLaren cannot afford for Norris and Piastri to fight and lose,” argues the Italian.
Finally, Patrese assures that Max Verstappen now sees options, as Red Bull has improved its car and there are still seven grand prix left to compete. “Yes, the way Verstappen speaks shows that he knows the car has improved and that there may be some small improvements coming.”
“So he has the opportunity to really push and perhaps win the championship. In the last two races, he disappeared. You didn’t see him on television because he was so far ahead! He left everyone 30 seconds behind, he looked very strong. I am very eager to see what will happen,” concludes Patrese.
