Carlos Sainz causes huge stir with new method to decide 'real' F1 champion

Carlos Sainz has suggested a radical change to Formula One that would determine once and for all who the best driver on the grid really is.

Ever since Formula One became one of the most popular sports in the world, fans have debated who the best driver is.

Although drivers like Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen have clearly established that they are a class above the rest, it is often the case that the quality of the cars given to each driver can greatly impact the standings.

For example, fans debate how a world champion like Lando Norris would perform in an Aston Martin this year vs Lance Stroll in a McLaren.

As it stands, it's impossible to know exactly who the best driver in the sport is and it will have to remain something that fans argue over for years.

But, if Sainz has anything to say about it, we could one day see the introduction of a new category that would settle the debate once and for all.

In a radical new proposal that would see a complete separation between drivers and teams, Sainz believes fans would discover the "true" drivers champion.

Explaining the idea to Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo, Sainz said: "I've always thought of a category where you do 20 races and each driver runs two races with each car.

"So the driver is part of F1, he is not part of a team, he is an F1 customer that Formula 1 hires to take the cars.

"Then I would have my chance to do two races with Williams, two with Mercedes, two with Ferrari, all the riders would have exactly the same chance of winning the World Championship.

"That would make the drivers' world championship and then what you score for that brand is the constructors' championship.

"Then, you would be able to completely disassociate the brands from the drivers. And so you would have a real drivers' championship and a real manufacturers' championship."

Although Sainz's idea would of course never happen, the concept is quite exciting, with the two championships remaining intact with drivers earn points across every teams with the teams themselves picking up points from whichever drivers happen to be in their cars that weekend.

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It would no doubt favour drivers currently in the lower-ranked teams on the grid, with the likes of Verstappen and Hamilton unlikely to be supportive of an idea that would see them swap out their Red Bull or Ferrari cars for an Audi.

But Sainz knows his plan is just fantasy, adding: “This will never happen, of course."

Carlos Sainz credits Ferrari for Lewis Hamilton's resurgence

In one of the most controversial moves in recent years, Hamilton took Sainz's seat at Ferrari ahead of the 2025 season, despite the Spaniard enjoying an impressive season the year prior.

Initially the swap looked like it may have been a mistake as, although Hamilton finished higher in the 2025 standings, Sainz picked up two podiums finishes last year to Hamilton's zero, despite having a far inferior car.

But in 2026 Hamilton has looked back to his best, currently sitting second in the Drivers' Championship standings having finally reclaimed his spot atop the podium at the recent Barcelona Grand Prix.

And when asked about Hamilton's victory in Barcelona, Sainz reiterated his belief that it's just as much about Ferrari and the regulation changes as it is about Hamilton and his talent.

Speaking to Marca he said: "You go to a team with a car you don't like and spend three years there without adapting, or without the car adapting to you. You end up looking one-dimensional. Then you go to a team with a car that suits your style and you look like a god.

"It's a much more complicated sport than people think, and Lewis has credit for turning things around. The change in regulations was his luck. If he was still driving last year's car, we wouldn't be seeing this version of Hamilton."