Scuderia Ferrari is confident of not repeating a similar performance as last year’s disastrous Italian Grand Prix, as Formula 1 returns to Monza this weekend.
In 2020, due to a very poor engine, Ferrari qualified outside the top ten and did not manage to finish the race with any of its drivers, as Sebastian Vettel would retire early on with brake failure before Charles Leclerc crashed heavily at Parabolica. During this time, the Maranello team was able to make some good progress especially on the power unit side, but Ferrari is well aware of the fact that it is not enough to be challenging for the win that all Tifosi would want.
Interviewed by ‘Sky Sport 24’, Scuderia Ferrari Spanish driver Carlos Sainz talked about the first feelings that had already matured upon arrival in the ‘Temple of Speed’: “The welcome I received was special. It was exciting. Something impossible to imagine until you feel it on your own skin. I had asked Charles some questions to be ready. He tried to explain it to me, but experiencing it in person is another matter entirely. ” – Carlos said, ahead of his first Italian Grand Prix as a Ferrari driver.
Unfortunately, given the potential of the SF21 and especially the 2021 power unit, it is difficult to expect an important result this year. Thus, Carlos Sainz immediately tried not to create false illusions: “Obviously, getting on the podium here would be fantastic, but we will have more opportunities in 2022. Development on this year’s single-seater has been almost completely halted. Monza is not Monaco, so it is not the circuit that best fits our package at the moment. We will do our best anyway ”.
Speaking instead of his performance in this first part of the season, the Carlos stated: “My main goal was to integrate as well as possible with everyone in the team, even with my teammate. At this time, in Ferrari, there was a need for union and two drivers working together in harmony to allow the team and the car to progress as quickly as possible. Coming from McLaren, I already knew that the comparison with Charles would prove difficult and I wondered what my level would be. I was optimistic, but I didn’t know exactly where I would position myself in relation to him. “
Many people, at the time of his arrival in Maranello, thought that he would not prove to be as good as his teammate, but Carlos Sainz never doubted his abilities: “I don’t know what people think. Personally I believe that when a team like Ferrari decides to bet on you, then you are not really that bad. Some think I am not at the level of the best drivers on the grid, I am aware of that.” – he admitted.
“But I’ve been on the team with Max, Norris, Hulkenberg and now with Charles. I know how good I am and I know good I can become” – Carlos Sainz added – “I just keep doing my job and getting the best result for the team. I don’t think any of the people I’ve worked with have ever underestimated me.” – the Ferrari driver concluded.
