21:T75a,

"I have never been team-mates with Lewis so I don't know what he is capable of doing. I have never seen his data. I have seen Charles's data and I know how good he is.

"The only way you can evaluate a driver is when you are a team-mate and you see what they are capable of doing.

"But when I look at Lewis's results and his background, and what he has achieved, I can only say that there will be a very high chance that he is going to be competitive for Ferrari."

Hamilton is set to unveil his new Ferrari at the Formula One season launch at the O2 Arena in London on Tuesday before heading to the team's Maranello headquarters the next day, where he is due to speak to the media for the first time as a Ferrari driver.

Williams finished a lowly ninth in the 2024 constructors standings but Sainz insists he can help revive the fortunes of the nine-time champions.

"I believe I bring a lot of knowledge, a lot of things you know, that I think could be applied to this car and to the team at the same time," said Sainz.

"I see a team that is ready also to fight for wins. It's just a matter of getting everything around the team to make sure we're giving also all the engineers and all the mechanics and the drivers the right tools to compete at the highest level."

Sainz, a winner of four Grand Prix, will team-up alongside Alex Albon at Williams for the new 24-round season, with the 28-year-old London-born driver relishing the competition.

"I am going up against someone (Sainz) who has got a big reputation, has just come from a very strong year, possibly his best in Formula One, so that is a great challenge to have and a positive outlook for me," Albon said.

"I believe in myself and I am happy to go up against anyone."

AFP

22:T6cf, "I have never been team-mates with Lewis so I don't know what he is capable of doing. I have never seen his data. I have seen Charles's data and I k

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Carlos Sainz says seven-time F1 champ Lewis Hamilton can make Ferrari great again