Carlos Sainz: "I don't love this Ferrari, but I have learned to guide my style"
Hours before taking the flight to Qatar, where the seventeenth race of the 2023 World Cup will be held this weekend, Carlos Sainz saved a space in his agenda for an event organized in Madrid by his sponsor Estrella Galicia. After the victory in Singapore, the Madrid driver faces the six remaining events with some optimism. “It has been a season from less to more and perhaps now we are in the best moment. Obviously I want everything to continue going just as well, but we have to keep trying to improve, to get on some more podiums,” he says.
The primary objective at Ferrari, in Sainz's opinion, is to “try to finish second in the Constructors' World Championship”, given that right now Mercedes only leads them by 20 points.. “On a personal level”, the Spanish driver will try to “continue getting the best performance out of the car and if the opportunity comes to make podiums or a victory, be there to achieve it”.
Sainz's great level after the holidays has helped him score 58 points in four races, 22 more than Charles Leclerc, his garage partner. However, Carlos is well aware of the difficulties that the SF-23 designed in Maranello continues to pose.. “I wasn't comfortable last year and this year I'm not comfortable either.”. It is not a car that I love, I don't enjoy getting performance out of it, but thanks to the experience of 2022 I have learned to guide my style,” he analyzed.
“Take advantage of opportunities”
“Honestly, we didn't bring any improvements to Singapore or Monza; it was simply a car and a set-up that adapted well.. But then you also have to know how to take advantage of opportunities and in Marina Bay we managed to take advantage of them perfectly and be at a high level of both piloting and strategy,” he added.
Regarding the rivalry with Leclerc, which has triggered numerous comments due to the alleged favorable treatment towards the Monegasque, Sainz opted for a conciliatory stance. “These cars are very difficult to understand and bring to your work window. But in Ferrari that doesn't happen, we are always close to each other, it doesn't matter who is in front or behind.. And that is a very important asset for the team.. “We push each other a lot.”
“I don't see them making many zeros”
Regarding the goal of third place in the World Cup, where he must fight with Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso, Sainz was not excessively optimistic.. “I would need both to have several zeros. And I don't see the world champions, with the experience they have, making many zeros,” he predicted.
Finally, the former McLaren and Renault driver left a note about the hegemony of Red Bull, which was proclaimed World Championship champion in Suzuka with six races to spare.. “Without them, Ferrari would be having a pretty decent year and it would be one of the most even and fun seasons, with Ferrari, Mercedes, Aston Martin and McLaren.”