Carlos Sainz (Madrid, 1994) is experiencing a difficult time at Ferrari where the SF-23 is not offering the expected results. In an interview with the newspaper Marca, the Spanish rider acknowledged that although the start has not been entirely good, “now the improvements are beginning to arrive”. After a good weekend in Australia that ended marred by a five-second penalty with two flights to go, Sainz is convinced that things will start to change from Miami and Imola.
Regarding the penalty received, the Spaniard believes that the sanctions were not well adjusted. “I think there are places where you look very closely, as happened in Australia and in others you don’t look at it. I think it’s not consistent and professional enough that this sport should be,” he admits.
After overcoming his anger and despite the complications he is experiencing with the car, the driver assures that both the start of the season and the sensations are being better than in 2022. “Nobody is happy at the factory, neither proud nor happy, but Yes, there is an attitude and a desire to improve that I haven’t seen for a long time, and I like to see it, I like to see a factory so invested in the project, in such an aggressive way, and I want to encourage them because I know they are doing a very intense job to it,” he points out.
Sainz acknowledges that he has also surrendered to the fever that has been unleashed in Spanish motorsports due to Fernando Alonso’s good start to the season. “If I were at home watching Formula 1, I would also be supporting Fernando. In the end it is he who has won the two World Cups… He has made me get to F1, that I fall in love with this sport. And if not maybe because of him I would be at home, connecting to the races to see Fernando’s 33”, he acknowledged.
However, the man from Madrid claims his role and claims to feel “covered and supported” by a large part of the fans. “I am also going to lean on that tide that F1 has followed again and that makes me feel very proud to be Spanish. I think people want to see both of us up there,” he said.
Despite the good relationship between the two, sparks flew in Baku. A moment that Sainz wanted to play down. “There is no problem between Fernando and I despite what some have tried to show. Our relationship is still very good and it is neither the first nor the last battle that we are going to have on the track. It is normal that there are some tighter actions than others but with the visor lowered we all want the same thing and we fight for what is ours. It is the beauty of the races and as long as there is respect between all the drivers there will be no problem”, he explained.
Asked if his second victory is close, Carlos Sainz Jr. is critical and optimistic at the same time. “In Baku I have not had my best weekend. Charles’ pole position has given the team good vibes and great motivation because from Australia we are going in the right direction. I had a great pace in that race and Charles has had it here, but we still have to improve our race pace, our weak point. I hope to find my rhythm again in Miami, because this is not what I expect of myself”, he acknowledged.
“I think the second victory is close, but I think we need some help, in quotes, from Red Bull. I think we didn’t need it last year, we could win by car… I think we can beat them sometime this year. I think I can win a race this year, because there are many types of circuits left. I don’t know when suddenly but it can be done”, added the driver.
In addition to his great passion, Formula 1, Carlos Sainz assures that golf is one of his favorite sports and he surrenders to Jon Rahm. “Jon Rahm has become one of my reference athletes. The way in which he deals with a sport as mental as golf, how his sport has developed in recent years. He is one of the strongest mentally figures in the world. I reiterate my congratulations, although I congratulated him personally. With him, following golf on Sundays is much more fun”, he concludes.
