Carlos Sainz Explains What Made Transition into Ferrari F1 Easy

Carlos Sainz has driven for four teams in F1, starting with Toro Rosso (Alpha Tauri), then Renault, later having 2 years at McLaren, and now driving for the most famous team in the sport, Ferrari. The Spaniard has stated that having switched to various teams in the paddock has taught him an important lesson.

The 26-year-old has gelled well into the Maranello-based squad by having points finishes in five out of six races so far this season.

The most notable moment so far was at the Monaco Grand Prix, where he crossed the line second place, giving the Scuderia their first podium of the season.

Carlos Sainz states switching teams has taught him a valuable lesson

As quoted by Motorsportweek.com, Sainz said, “At first when I changed from Toro Rosso to Renault, I thought ‘well okay these two cars are completely different, but maybe this is maybe a one-off.

“But then changing from Renault to McLaren it was then completely different again and then McLaren to Ferrari was completely different again.”

He added, “It kept opening up my eyes a bit how different everything is from those four different teams and how much you need to adapt in that way.

“I guess I have some practice with it being in four different teams in five or six different years, obviously, has given me that awareness, but I would say it’s more down to a detail.

“When I arrived to Renault, that first race in Austin I was in the pace, straightaway. But I felt like I lacked the last two tenths from the toys, the diff maps, the engine braking and the last bit of driving style to extract the last two tenths.

“The same applied to McLaren and probably same applies to Ferrari,” Sainz concluded.

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How’s Sainz doing compared to his teammate, Leclerc

The Italian team formed a new partnership for the 2021 season, as Sebastian Vettel departed for Aston Martin, Sainz was brought in to pair up with Charles Leclerc.

So far both have been getting crucial points for the team that is needed for the Constructors’ Championship. Sainz has managed to get his first podium, when he secured P2 in Monte Carlo, while Leclerc is still waiting to get onto the top step this season.

In terms of drivers’ standings, Leclerc is ahead of his teammate in fifth place with 52 points, while Sainz places seventh on the standings with 42 points.

The season still has a long way to go, who do you think will come out on top of this championship battle? Let us know in the comments below.

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