Carlos Sainz insists he is unconcerned by Scuderia Ferrari’s lack of pace at the start of the new Formula 1 season ahead of his switch to the Maranello team for 2021.
Although Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc finished second at the Red Bull Ring, it was aided by numerous safety car interventions and retirements.
Qualifying, however, served to highlight the deficit of the SF1000, with Leclerc a second down on polesitter Valtteri Bottas, while for the first time since joining the team over five years ago, Sebastian Vettel failed to reach Q3 on pace alone.
As to whether such problems now are an issue for Sainz, the McLaren driver replied: “Not really. I think it’s summarised quite well with me saying I’m not thinking about 2021.
“No, I haven’t really thought about it or thought about the carryover of this Ferrari form into next year.”
In reaction to the pace deficit, Ferrari has completely changed its aerodynamic direction, with Sainz “confident” the team will find answers to its problems.
“They have always been at the top in Formula 1, and I think they will make it back there soon, or sooner rather than later,” added Sainz. “At the moment I am happy to fight them on track.”
“It’s great progress for McLaren. I think it’s been really great progress from this team and I’m enjoying being able to fight Ferrari, [being] close to Red Bull, close to Racing Point when we thought they were going to be clearly ahead, and I’m just enjoying the challenge so far this year.” – the future Ferrari driver concluded.
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