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BARCELONA, SPAIN – MAY 11: Carlos Sainz of Spain and McLaren F1 walks in the Pitlane during qualifying for the F1 Grand Prix of Spain at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
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BARCELONA, SPAIN – MAY 11: Carlos Sainz of Spain and McLaren F1 walks in the Pitlane during qualifying for the F1 Grand Prix of Spain at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
Carlos Sainz has locked out a dream two-year contract with Ferrari. The Spaniard is moving from McLaren after a successful season, helping the team finish P3 in the championship standing. Sainz himself finished the 2020 season in P6 as one of the strongest drivers in the midfield.
The Ferrari driver will drive alongside Charles Leclerc this season. The Monegasque outshined his teammate, Sebastian Vettel, last season. Thus, Carlos Sainz is aware of the challenges that now lie ahead of him.
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Formula One F1 – Bahrain Grand Prix – Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir, Bahrain – McLaren’s Carlos Sainz Jr. during practice Pool via REUTERS/Bryn Lennon
“I will obviously start with a bit of a disadvantage not knowing the car, having very little winter testing, having one-day-and-a-half to prepare the season.”
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“I will have a lot of catch up to do in the first half of the year, in the first races, as I get to know the team and the car. But it will be great to have him as a benchmark and see how quickly I can get up to speed and keep helping the team to get better,” explained Sainz.
ALSO READ- ‘I Will Need Time’ – Carlos Sainz Warns Ferrari F1’s Fans Against Unreal Expectations
Carlos Sainz hopes to share a strong relationship with Leclerc
As a part of McLaren’s new team culture, Carlos Sainz and Lando Norris shared a strong and open relationship as teammates. “Obviously my relationship with Lando is great and I enjoyed it a lot,” said the Spaniard. This partnership helped McLaren achieve their best result since 2012.
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MEXICO CITY, MEXICO – OCTOBER 27: Carlos Sainz of Spain and McLaren F1 walks to the grid. Before the F1 Grand Prix of Mexico at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez on October 27, 2019 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
Carlos Sainz hopes to recreate a similar relationship with his teammate.
“I’ve always got on well with my teammates, it’s never been an issue for me and I already get on very well with Charles and I have no problems with that and I’m sure I can also have a good relationship there,” he explained.
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Ferrari had their worst Formula 1 season since 1980. After helping McLaren to a successful season, Ferrari will hope that Sainz can do the same for them.
However, his primary concern at Ferrari would be to adjust to his car soon and match Leclerc’s timing. Or do you believe Leclerc will comfortably outperform Sainz as well?
