A couple of years ago, former F1 driver Nico Rosberg suggested that Scuderia Ferrari should rope in Daniel Ricciardo. Instead, the Italian giants opted to run with Carlos Sainz Jr for the 2021 season. Now, the 2016 World Champion has confessed that he was glad that he was wrong to pitch Ricciardo instead of Sainz.

Last year, Scuderia Ferrari endured a nightmarish 2020 campaign. This time, the team seems to have turned things around and is trying to bridge the gap to Mercedes and Red Bull.

Part of the reason for their surge in form is down to an upgraded engine, but the rest has been the exceptional performances of Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc.

The local hero gave everyone a taste of Ferrari’s pace when he snatched pole position at Monaco. Unfortunately, his hard work came undone when he crashed in qualifying and a driveshaft failure forced him to the sidelines. As a result of this unfortunate development, the burden fell on Sainz’s shoulders.

“You have to make the comparison also with Ricciardo, Perez that are nowhere,” Rosberg said. “They switched teams like Sainz, but Sainz seems like he’s always been there. Because he gets along well with the car, he’s pushing Leclerc.

“He was almost at his level this weekend. So congratulations, because he’s doing great. It’s been a great choice by Ferrari. I was very critical, I said ‘you have to take Ricciardo, why do you take Sainz?’ Instead, now he’s doing great. Mattia was right, for sure.”

Carlos Sainz definitely delivered the goods for Ferrari

Out of all the drivers who switched teams, Sainz Jr seems to have adjusted the quickest. Meanwhile, his McLaren successor Daniel Ricciardo has struggled to get to grips with his car.

The Australian himself has admitted that he has struggled to adjust to the MCL35M. Sainz’s progress has been so impressive that he felt that he could snatch pole and his first F1 victory.

“That’s great, that’s how it has to be,” added the 2016 World Champion. “Because he knew in qualifying he was on a good lap to do the pole when Leclerc hit the wall. He had the speed – it’s nice to see him so strong.”

Now, Carlos Sainz Jr is hoping to keep up the momentum for the coming races. Next weekend, the F1 paddock pays a visit to the Baku Street Circuit for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Without a doubt, he will be hoping to grab another podium or at least a Top-5.

READ MORE: Nico Rosberg Names McLaren’s Carlos Sainz in his Top 3 Drivers of the Season List