Carlos Sainz reflects on "goosebump" lap that earned him Pole Position at Monza

Scuderia Ferrari Spanish driver Carlos Sainz delivered an exceptional performance, managing to secure pole position for the Maranello team in front of their fans at Monza after a ten-race drought since Charles Leclerc’s last pole in Baku. The Spanish driver returned to the front of the grid following his pole in the United States Grand Prix at the end of the previous season, and he’ll aim to convert today’s result into a victory, although he’s aware of Red Bull’s strength.

The Spaniard described having goosebumps after securing pole position at Monza. “It was an intense qualifying, especially in Q3,” he stated in the post-qualifying interview. “All three of us pushed to the maximum and were on the limit. On the final lap, I knew I had a bit of margin at Ascari and Parabolica, so I went for it, and it worked out.”

“I really pushed hard on the last lap. As soon as I crossed the finish line on the in-lap, looking at the crowd, I couldn’t stop having goosebumps, and it’s fantastic.”

Carlos Sainz appeared visibly emotional, fully aware that he achieved something that was hard to predict at the beginning of the weekend. After consistently topping the free practice sessions, the hope for a red pole position was gradually becoming more real, as it eventually did.

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“Already at the hotel, at the track, and wherever we go, there is always support and encouragement. It’s the best feeling you can have as a driver. Tomorrow, the goal is the podium, and I’ll give it my all to maintain this position. We’ll try to start well and have a good first stint to fight with Max, who is usually very fast.”

Tomorrow, the Dutch driver will find himself caught between the two Ferrari SF-23 cars, with Charles Leclerc starting just behind his teammate in third place. While winning appears to be very challenging, the realistic goal at this point is to aim for a double podium, although, as Sainz himself mentioned, dreaming costs nothing.