ABU DHABI – “Without rumors and speculation, it wouldn’t be Ferrari. They will always exist, we are calm. Maybe we’ll score a double here and then everything will be forgotten” – Carlos Sainz replies with a catchphrase on a possible replacement of Mattia Binotto as Ferrari Team Principal.
Here is the Spanish driver’s full interview for corriere.it ahead of the final round of the 2022 Formula 1 season, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix:
What’s the first thing you’ll do as soon as the championship is over?
«Going home to Italy, lying on the sofa and watching TV series on repeat. And then golf, padel, dinners with friends and my girlfriend (Isabel ed )».
Last race here at Yas Marina. Would you be ready to help Charles Leclerc in the fight for second place in the Drivers’ World Championship?
«Sure, I was already in Brazil. I’m a team player and I’ve never had a problem helping a teammate.”
What’s you personal balance sheet of these two years?
“The first one I immediately felt at home and it was seen on track. The second was tougher especially at the start, then I improved and I’m closing the season at a high level. But I still can’t drive this car naturally”.
Because?
“It’s not made for my driving style. But I’m proud of having adapted, it would have been easy to give up and focus on 2023”.
The most beautiful emotion with Ferrari?
“The victory at Silverstone, the first in Formula 1. But also the one-two in Bahrain: I’ve never seen such a happy team, that collective joy will remain in my memories forever. I’ll also add pole in Austin”.
Show your support for Scuderia Ferrari with official merchandise collection! Click here to enter the F1 online Store and shop securely! And also get your F1 tickets for every race with VIP hospitality and unparalleled insider access. Click here for the best offers to support Charles and Carlos from the track!
How do you make this joy last longer, thinking about next year?
«We are capable of doing even better, but we have to grow in some aspects, like scoring the result on Sunday by having a more competitive single-seater than in qualifying. We also have to focus on the starts, where we struggled this season, also on tire management. Improving the updates and developments”.
The 2022 car was designed well and then declined.
“Red Bull and Mercedes have been superior in terms of developments, now we are not as strong as we were at the beginning”.
Have you ever felt treated like a second driver at Ferrari?
«Neither in Ferrari nor elsewhere. I don’t deserve it. And indeed I was pleased with one thing.”
What?
“Respect. Because after the first part of the season I could have become a second driver. But I reacted.”
What goals do you set yourself?
“The World Championship with Ferrari. That’s why I came here.”
That also Charles Leclerc’s goal. What is your relationship really like?
“There is competition. But the respect and admiration of one towards the other are so high that we have never had friction or problems. Even with a competitive car. He’s one of the best teammates I’ve had.”
Is it true that in order to drive better you had to “steal” some secrets from Charles?
«Yes, because with the 2022 car, his style worked better than mine. I had to make mistakes, change direction and learn”.
What does it mean for a driver to question himself?
“Everything that used to come naturally to me made me slower. I had to reinvent myself and change everything: braking, corner entry and exit. It’s the first time this has happened, it bothered me that it happened in the year in which I had a fast single-seater”.
On what grounds is your confidence based for 2023?
“We know how to learn from mistakes, in the race and in development. Since I’ve been at Ferrari I’ve always seen progress, if we set ourselves a goal we will achieve it”.
Yes, but in the end you only won four races.
“The problem is that sometimes things don’t improve as fast as people would like, it takes time.”
You know Max Verstappen well, you made your debut together in Formula 1. Why is he so special?
“He is very fast, aggressive, he has no weaknesses. He has the full support of the team. He deserves the two titles”.
George Russell?
“The current level of the drivers is so high that the difference is in the details. At least 6-7 with the right car could win the World championship”.
What was your worst moment of 2022?
“Imola. A retirement on the first lap. And it came after another race with zero points in Australia. Less than two laps in two GPs, an incident. Just when we had a dominant car in which Charles took pole and won. It was hard to accept.”
What is your relationship with Mattia Binotto?
“It is a great one. I will always thank him for choosing me and for trusting me. He was the first manager of a great team to believe in me, Mattia will always be special to me.”
Who does Carlos Sainz resemble?
“Nobody. I’m Carlos Sainz. But I have role models: Rafa Nadal, Fernando Alonso for his determination. My dad, of course.”
Why Nadal?
“He is a great person on and off the field. For his desire to win, for the respect of the opponents”.
In Abu Dhabi last year Hamilton and Verstappen competed for the title on equal points. Would you like to experience an ending like this?
«I can’t imagine the emotions they felt throughout the weekend and in the race, with that safety car… Yes, I’d like to win a World Championship like this, who knows what adrenaline you feel. But even if it came in an easier way, it would still be fine…».
Is it possible to be friends between drivers?
“Yes, with Norris we are. And I feel that even with Charles in the future we could be when we are no longer teammates and we will not fight for positions. We are already friends, but also rivals and it is normal to keep a little distance”.
Leave a Reply