Monaco is not only the most glamorous event of the season, but it is also an opportunity for many drivers. The streets of the Principality, in their history and peculiarities, constitute pitfalls that can open up to crazy races. And Ferrari is probably hoping that this GP will be one of the incredible ones to have a chance of fighting for a place on the podium . It is certainly one of the aspirations of Carlos Sainz, who is thrilled about the idea of celebrating a podium alongside Ferrari with sparkling wine: “Any race is an opportunity to reach the podium. Monaco too ” .
In a recent interview for El Transistor, one of the Onda Cero programs , the Madrid-born began by saying: “Monaco is very different, it’s a unique GP . [ed. In addition to the fact that] free practice takes place on Thursday, and not on Friday as it normally happens, the configuration of the car is also different – ad hoc. I like Monte Carlo, I’ve always enjoyed driving there. Yes it’s a difficult circuit , but I think the most complicated of all is Baku (…). Monaco has it all. It goes from the hairpin bend that we travel at 60 km / h, to the tunnel where we touch the 290, to the pool area where we go (between the walls) at 220 km / h ” .
When asked by the radio about how the free day between FP2 and FP3, Carlos Sainz replied: “It’s strange because you get there that you have already settled into the track, the car and the set up. In FP3 it is like starting all over again, because you have to rediscover those feelings and that confidence that you took on Thursday and that you may have lost on the day off. Friday is a bit boring. They usually give us events with the press, and there is not much time to be with the engineers and prepare well for Saturday “ .
Carlos is one of the drivers, like Daniel Ricciardo or Sebastian Vettel, who is dealing with everything that involves the change of a team . The adaptation to the new team and the car are not simple things and they only happen in time. Time that is only given to them on race weekends. Even though the Spaniard, more than once, was able to take to the track at Fiorano with some past Formula 1 cars to immerse himself better and faster in the dynamics of the team.
“The truth is that I am very happy, I am integrating well and quickly with the team. We are already working hard for next year, given the introduction of the new regulations it will be a great possibility for Ferrari and we need to be prepared. For the rest nothing. The first four races went well. I am adapting. I’m still not at the level I would like but I’m close, closer than I would have thought at this point, ” explained the former McLaren driver.
And on the perception he had upon his arrival in Maranello, Carlos said: “The thing that most impressed me when I arrived here is that in Italy Ferrari is like a religion. People have a passion that is not comparable , perhaps only with what we feel [ed. Spaniards] when the Selección plays a World Cup. We feel the responsibility, the support, the desire to win of the fans. Ferrari represents a country, it is not just a brand. It’s a difficult feeling to describe if you don’t live it from within ” . – he explained.
In short, a Carlos Sainz who is approaching Monaco more and more immersed in the Ferrari reality . Who knows if this GP could not really be a golden opportunity for the Spaniard, the SF21 and the fans. Whose hopes are also fueled by the excellent performances shown in the third sector of Barcelona, without forgetting that it will also be necessary to have luck in order to finish ahead of Red Bull or Mercedes.
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