“If McLaren has been able to take these steps during the season, I am convinced that Ferrari can do it during the winter break,” says Carlos.
“There are aspects of the SF-23 that I would like to see in next year’s car, but some will have to be given up if we want to have a car for all circuits,” he analyzes
Carlos Sainz arrived this Thursday at the Yas Marina paddock in Abu Dhabi, where the last Grand Prix of the season begins this Friday, amidst rumors of a renewal by Ferrari. The Madrid native has insisted on leaving the negotiations for the winter and has preferred to focus on his goals for 2024, when his current contract expires. Ambitious, Sainz is convinced that next year they can make things very difficult for Red Bull and has pointed out that “fighting with them from the beginning is a realistic goal.”
Not everything has been decided in this World Cup and in Abu Dhabi Sainz is involved in two fights pending resolution: the fight with Alonso for fourth place in drivers (they are tied at 200 points) and the runner-up in constructors with Mercedes, which has only four points more than Ferrari after a great final comeback by those from Maranello.
“I think fighting with Red Bull from the beginning of 2024 is a realistic goal. Yes. Will we achieve it? Only time will tell. I want the team to think that it is possible, because I think so. Furthermore, we have shown that if McLaren was able to take these steps during the season, I am perfectly convinced that Ferrari can do it during the winter break,” he assured. Sainz in statements to mototsport.it.
“I have confidence in this team, in their ability to turn things around. There are still circuits where we are on pole by 0.3 compared to Red Bull. It’s just a specific feature of the car that is really good. Just we have to turn it into a complete car,” he added.
“There are aspects of the SF-23 that I would like to see in next year’s car. Without a doubt, the speed in a straight line, the performance under braking and in 90 degree and short corners. I also think that handling on kerbs is a strong point. So the car has very, very strong points. But I think that if we want to have a car for the whole year, maybe we have to give up some of these features to make sure that we are fast everywhere, especially in the race “, he analyzed in a positive way.
Ferrari missed a great opportunity for victory in Las Vegas, where Charles Leclerc started on pole to finish second to Max Verstappen and Carlos Sainz finished fifth after a disastrous weekend, after losing his second place in qualifying and dropping to twelfth due to a penalty. following his Libre 1 accident with a poorly sealed sewer. “I have never felt so frustrated and angry as a driver,” acknowledged Carlos, who hopes to turn the page in Abu Dhabi and say goodbye to the course with a good taste in his mouth.