As the 2024 Formula 1 season winds down, some drivers are navigating the psychological and performance minefield that often accompanies their impending exits from teams. For stars like Lewis Hamilton, Carlos Sainz, and Esteban Ocon, the challenges of ending relationships with their current squads are varied but share a common thread: the uneasy balance of frustration, isolation, and the search for answers in a high-stakes environment.
Sainz: A Farewell Laced with Frustration
Carlos Sainz, set to leave Ferrari for Audi in 2025, is grappling with the emotional toll of leaving behind what he describes as the most competitive car of his career. Despite being an integral part of Ferrari’s resurgence, Sainz’s tenure is ending with some tension.
His fiery driving in Las Vegas—where he clashed with teammate Charles Leclerc, who fumed over the radio—reflects a driver feeling the sting of being forced out. “Deep down, Sainz must feel Ferrari’s decision is unjust,” some suggest. While business is business, Sainz’s contributions to Ferrari’s revival make his exit bittersweet.
For Ferrari, Sainz’s impending departure adds another layer of complexity. He must remain fully committed to their battle for the Constructors’ Championship, yet he’s no longer the focus of the team’s future plans. This balancing act can breed resentment and isolation, even when both sides maintain professionalism on the surface.
Hamilton: A Legend Fighting Against the Current
Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton has faced his own set of challenges in 2024, sparking whispers of frustration within the Mercedes camp. With George Russell consistently outperforming him in qualifying, Hamilton has suggested his car may not be on equal footing. Comments like “one of the cars is working a lot better” during the Brazilian Grand Prix have fueled speculation of internal favoritism—though Hamilton stopped short of outright accusations.
Hamilton’s natural driving style, marked by precision and aggressiveness at the limit, appears mismatched with this generation’s understeer-heavy, ground-effect cars. As Fernando Alonso once said, these machines often reward driving at 90% rather than full-throttle aggression. For Hamilton, adapting his ultra-dynamic approach has been a process riddled with frustration and occasional missteps.
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has dismissed claims of inequity between Hamilton and Russell’s cars, but the perception lingers. Whether rooted in reality or merely a reflection of Hamilton’s search for answers, these doubts add to the strain of a difficult season for the seven-time champion.
Ocon: Struggling Against the Ghosts of Favoritism
For Esteban Ocon, leaving Alpine for Haas has created similar challenges. Ocon has publicly questioned whether Alpine is prioritizing teammate Pierre Gasly, particularly after a powerful upgrade debuted first on Gasly’s car. Ocon, who has struggled with qualifying performance since October, believes his car has inherent issues, citing wheelspin and lack of cornering confidence as key problems.
Alpine insists there’s no disparity between the cars and points to Ocon’s competitive race pace—particularly his standout performance in wet conditions in Brazil—as evidence of parity. Team principal Ollie Oakes stated, “Both cars are the same. It’s just something we’ve got to keep looking into to make it more comfortable.”
Still, Ocon’s sense of alienation is palpable. “I hope I’m still being treated fairly,” he remarked recently, hinting at the emotional toll of his departure after five years with Alpine. The team’s tight fight for sixth in the Constructors’ Championship leaves little room for favoritism, but Ocon’s concerns underscore how leaving a team can cloud even objective realities.
The Psychology of Separation
Drivers like Sainz, Hamilton, and Ocon illustrate the mental toll that comes with leaving a team—whether it’s questioning equal treatment, grappling with underperformance, or struggling to maintain focus on a team’s goals while knowing the future lies elsewhere. In such high-pressure environments, paranoia can creep in, even when the team has no intent to sabotage.
This dynamic was evident earlier in 2024 when Daniel Ricciardo demanded a chassis change at Red Bull, convinced his struggles against Yuki Tsunoda were due to a technical fault. While the team found no issues with Ricciardo’s original chassis, his performances improved after the swap—a psychological reset as much as a technical one.
Blame Game or Reality Check?
The essential challenge in motorsport is understanding whether performance shortfalls stem from the car or the driver. Andrea Stella, McLaren’s team boss, has praised Lando Norris for his ability to reflect honestly and adapt when weaknesses are exposed. It’s a trait Stella previously observed in Fernando Alonso, who he described as a master at identifying the fault line between car and driver performance.
For drivers struggling in their final days with a team, however, the instinct to blame the car—or the team’s intentions—can be overwhelming. Whether rooted in reality or fueled by insecurity, such doubts can be self-defeating if left unchecked.
The Final Laps
As the season winds to a close, the challenge for drivers like Sainz, Hamilton, and Ocon is to remain focused, despite the emotional strain of their impending exits. Whether it’s helping Ferrari fight McLaren for the Constructors’ title, adapting to Mercedes’ tricky car dynamics, or ensuring Alpine secures vital championship points, their final contributions could leave lasting impacts—if they can keep their heads in the game.
The key, as always in Formula 1, is balancing ego with self-awareness. Those who master that balance thrive; those who don’t risk becoming their own worst enemy.