Scuderia Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto confirmed that the strong performance of Carlos Sainz in his first half-season alongside the Maranello team came as no surprise given his form throughout his Formula 1 career.
Carlos Sainz made his debut six years ago at Toro Rosso alongside Max Verstappen and most recently spent two seasons as team mate to Lando Norris at McLaren, where the Spanish driver showed clear signs of his ability, according to the Ferrari boss. After the Hungarian Grand Prix, which was the last race until the summer break, Carlos Sainz leads team mate Charles Leclerc by three points in the Formula 1 Driver Standings.
Mattia Binotto admitted that he was “not surprised” Carlos Sainz has begun his Maranello career in a positive way:
“When we decided and contacted him to make him the offer, we made a lot of analysis and we knew that he was a strong driver. We knew that he was a strong racer, we knew that was very consistent in the race and he was fast as well. I think he has proved to be fast since he was in Formula 1. We should not forget that his very first Formula 1 season with Toro Rosso, his team mate was Max, and that very first year he was doing well. And if we look as well at the last year with Lando I think again, he was doing very well and we know how Lando is strong and I think that he is showing it as well in the current season. So we are not surprised by how strong he is or how fast is.” – he added.
Despite the fact that several drivers have encountered difficulties after changing teams ahead of the 2021 Formula 1 season, including Carlos Sainz’s McLaren successor Daniel Ricciardo – the Italian side’s most recent hiring has adapted quickly:
“I am happy to see that he’s doing well because that’s showing that I think we made the right choice. I’m happy also to see the way that he is integrating with the team and the way that he’s behaving with Charles. I’m happy as well in terms of leadership, the type of leadership is showing, not only on the car, out of the cockpit when he’s back at Maranello. So overall I’m happy.” – he explained.
Yet Mattia Binotto feels Carlos Sainz is yet to demonstrate his full potential with a completely trouble-free weekend: “What I’m expecting from him in the second half [is] he has not yet been capable of putting together one entire weekend – there is always a mistake here or there: Quali, start or in the race. So I’m expecting that he will continue his learning the team, continue his learning the car and soon, hopefully, he will put together an entire weekend. I think that’s important for him at first.” – the Ferrari boss concluded.
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