Carlos Sainz will leave Ferrari with more than memories of his time with the iconic Italian team—he'll also take home the car that brought him his first Formula 1 victory.
La Gazzetta dello Sport has revealed that Ferrari's farewell gift to the Williams-bound Spaniard is the 2022 car with which he secured his maiden F1 win at Silverstone.
Days ago, the 30-year-old recently returned to Ferrari's Fiorano test track, where he sat at the wheel of the '22-spec F1-75. His father, rallying legend Carlos Sainz Sr., was also at Fiorano, driving another 2022 Ferrari at the same time.
According to journalist Luigi Perna, the gifted car was not part of any pre-existing contractual agreement.
"It seems in fact that it was not any part of Sainz's contractual agreements," Perna wrote.
Speaking at Maranello, Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur spoke highly of Sainz's professionalism and contribution to the team during their two-year partnership.
"I spent two beautiful seasons with Carlos and I thank him," Vasseur said. "I know it wasn't easy for him when he found out we wouldn't be renewing his contract, but Carlos remained focused and professional, helping the team fight until the last corner of the last lap of the last race in Abu Dhabi."
