Carlos Sainz is going through a peculiar period. On the track, he’s experiencing his best moments since joining Formula 1, but once the helmet is off, there’s that lingering uncertainty about his future, not the best travel companion.
Carlos Sainz is highly rational; he knows that it wasn’t his volition that brought about this situation, and he manages to disconnect when he steps into the car, still enjoying the moment. Ahead of the Shanghai weekend, he highlighted the uncertainties surrounding an atypical race weekend, from the format to the track conditions, making the scenario more confusing than usual.
What’s in this car that seems to adapt so well to your driving style?
“It’s a more stable platform. Last year, during a qualifying lap or race, there were issues that we couldn’t understand their origin, a situation that shook our confidence. This year, since the winter tests in Bahrain, we haven’t encountered such moments. So far, in every qualifying and race, the car has been stable, allowing you to approach the limit more often, instilling more confidence, and consequently, better performance.”
After four races, you’ve already matched last year’s number of podiums. Are you in the best situation since joining Ferrari and Formula 1?
“Surely, it’s been the best start to a season since I joined Ferrari. Am I at my best? I don’t know. It’s hard to answer. Obviously, it seems so when you look at the results, but I’ve also given my best in McLaren, as well as in Toro Rosso. What changes is the car; some seasons you have a better car than others. This year, it seems like we’ve found a good compromise between qualifying and race pace, then… yes, I’m driving at a high level, at least I believe so, but I’ve already done it in Formula 1 at a good level. I’d need to go through all my last nine years to give a precise answer.”
What did you do after the Japanese Grand Prix? Were you able to return to training as before the surgery?
“Yes, I’ve been cycling for several days with Pogacar, the number one in cycling at the moment. I’m trying to catch up on the training I couldn’t do in the three weeks prior, but I’ve also done other things. I went to the Monte Carlo tennis tournament, met Djokovic, whom I had met at the Ryder Cup in September, and I also met Sinner; it was a nice moment. I’m a big tennis fan, watching these champions play live was a great experience.”
Let’s talk about the future. How’s it going?
“My best options are still open, but it will take time for everyone to make their decisions. There hasn’t been any progress in the last two weeks, and while this situation doesn’t affect my performance on the track, I hope clarity can be achieved as soon as possible.”
What are your expectations for this weekend?
“There are many uncertainties; the asphalt seems to have been treated in a very particular way, and I don’t think the FIA and the teams fully understand what has been done, whether it’s a complete resurfacing or an asphalt refurbishment. It seems very peculiar, something we haven’t encountered recently on other circuits, and furthermore, we’ll have only one free practice session. Then, if I look at the layout of the track, I see more similarities with Suzuka than Australia, which makes me think that performance-wise, we should be closer to the values seen in Japan rather than Melbourne. But I hope I’m wrong.”
A couple of remaining options on the market offer a potentially competitive car in the short term, while others are longer-term projects. How do you assess this scenario?
“It depends on what they offer you and the type of project. A driver always seeks the fastest available option, especially considering the form I’m in. I think if I have the right car, I can win races and get on the podium, as I’m showing this year. That’s my number one priority; then, there are other very interesting medium-term options that I’m still considering.”
How complicated will tire management be this weekend?
“Graining depends a lot on the asphalt; that’s why we’ve talked so much about the asphalt treatment. Once this aspect is eliminated from the equation, the very long corners put a huge strain on the tires, and here, we have many such corners. We won’t have much time to fine-tune the car, so it’s all about simulation and FP1; an interesting weekend awaits us.”
Is there some frustration in seeing Ferrari improving and probably continuing to improve in 2025?
“There are mixed feelings about it. This is my fourth year at Ferrari; I’ve spent a lot of time in Maranello trying to help the team. Together we’ve developed a project that’s now starting to bear fruit. It’s something that makes me very happy about what we’re seeing this year, but also a bit sad because we won’t be able to continue the journey together. I feel we’re doing a good job; everything is taking the right shape, especially in view of the regulatory changes in 2026. But this is life; it wasn’t my decision, but I like to think that the future might hold something even better for me.”
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