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Formula One F1 – Spanish Grand Prix – Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain – June 3, 2023. Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz Jr. after qualifying in second position. REUTERS/Nacho Doce
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Formula One F1 – Spanish Grand Prix – Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain – June 3, 2023. Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz Jr. after qualifying in second position. REUTERS/Nacho Doce
Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz has openly admitted to the challenges faced by the Scuderia this season, as Red Bull continues to dominate the tarmac. In a recent interview with El Laeguero on Cadena Ser, Sainz highlighted the Italian team’s approach and the need for improvement. Delving into Sainz’s perspective reflects Ferrari’s current position and its aspirations to bridge the gap with Red Bull.
Starting the Spanish GP on soft tires, Sainz initially showed promise, keeping at pace with the leaders. However, his lap times started deteriorating due to significant tire degradation. Around lap 20, the possibility of a one-stop strategy arose due to the durability of the red compound tires. However, Sainz’s car did not allow him to maintain the necessary high pace for a one-stop strategy. As the race progressed, both Mercedes drivers easily overtook Sainz, further complicating his race.
It’s important to highlight that the local hero placed an awesome 1’12.734 timing at the qualifying, just 4/10ths short of polesitter Verstappen. But the race performance proved contrary to the Italian team’s upgrades, falling short of expectations. The SF-23 lacked downforce in high-speed corners, impacting Sainz’s lap times, and putting him out of points.
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Formula One F1 – Spanish Grand Prix – Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain – June 3, 2023 Red Bull’s Max Verstappen celebrates after qualifying in pole position with second placed Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz Jr. and third placed McLaren’s Lando Norris REUTERS/Nacho Doce
Reflecting on the Spanish GP, where Sainz started from the front row and finished 5th, he expressed his mixed feelings, as mentioned by Gazzetta.it. “Before the race, I was relatively confident, but I felt it would be difficult for us to stay on the podium. We finished fifth in a difficult weekend.”
Sainz expressed his frustration with the performance of the car at Barcelona, stating, “We are driving at a very high level, but the car... I think Barcelona is the worst circuit for Ferrari. It makes me angry that the home Grand Prix is like this for our car.” However, he maintained an optimistic outlook, stating, “Canada is the opposite; I’ll go there for the podium.”
Sainz’s performance at the Spanish Grand Prix highlighted the challenges faced by Ferrari as they strive to catch up to Red Bull’s dominance. Nonetheless, he remains optimistic about the upcoming race in Canada and having another go at the Bulls.
How does Sainz feel about the Red Bull?
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Sainz acknowledged the daunting task of catching up to Red Bull this season. He stated, “The car that Red Bull made is dominant, and Mercedes seems to have found the right direction. At Ferrari, we are not where we would like to be, and we are the first to be self-critical.”
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Formula One F1 – Spanish Grand Prix – Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain – June 4, 2023 Red Bull’s Max Verstappen in action as he leads into the first corner at start of the race ahead of Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz Jr. REUTERS/Albert Gea TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
Sainz’s remarks reflect the team’s determination to analyze their shortcomings and work towards enhancing their performance. He further added, “Right now, Max Verstappen’s Red Bull is on another planet.”
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Watch this story: Emotional Rafael Nadal Gets a Cheer Up from Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz After Roland-Garros Withdrawal
With the upcoming Canadian Grand Prix, will Sainz and Squad aim to capitalize on the favorable track conditions and secure a podium finish? How do you feel about it?
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