“I Definitely Found My Home”: Carlos Sainz Grateful to McLaren for His F1 Fortunes

Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz has come out to thank his former team McLaren and Zak Brown for giving him the opportunity. Sainz raced for McLaren for 2 seasons in 2019 and 2020. He was a key member of the team’s resurgence and made them competitive and fought for podiums.

Carlos Sainz, before joining McLaren, was floating around the grid. He started his career with Scuderia Toro Rosso in 2015 and was the teammate of Max Verstappen.

He raced with the team from 2015 to 2017. Carlos Sainz left Toro Rosso and the Red Bull junior program to join Renault in late 2017.

He was pivotal in Renault’s 4th place finish in the Constructors’ Championship in 2018. McLaren and Zak Brown signed the Spaniard after he was let go by Renault in favor of Daniel Ricciardo.

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Thankful to Zak Brown and McLaren for signing me for 2 years: Carlos Sainz

According to BBC, Sainz was never really comfortable in Renault and only found his groove when he signed with McLaren for a 2-year deal. The talented Spaniard flourished when he was given the responsibility of team leader.

“One thing I discovered in McLaren, is what a difference it makes for an athlete to perform in an atmosphere and in a team where they appreciate your value, where they give you the importance and the perfect environment to perform at the highest level, psychologically but also technically,” said Sainz.

Sainz further thanked McLaren CEO Zak Brown for giving him the chance at the Woking-based team.

“Anyway, I didn’t have my best year but in McLaren, I definitely found my home and I’m really thankful to Zak Brown and everyone in McLaren for giving me that two-year deal. I managed to pay them back in terms of results,” said Sainz.

His performances in McLaren convinced Ferrari to sign him for the 2021 season to partner with Charles Leclerc.

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Can Carlos Sainz guide Ferrari back to the top?

Ferrari has a young driver’s lineup for this season. Charles Leclerc is 23 while Sainz is 26. They have performed well at the start of the season, with Leclerc getting back-to-back poles and Sainz getting a podium.

The Prancing Horses are currently fighting for third in the constructors with McLaren and leading them by 4 points. They have the driver lineup and the car to take them back to the top and finish above McLaren this season.

What do you think? Is Carlos Sainz the right driver for Ferrari? Comment below to let us know.