Carlos Sainz and the sacrifice Ferrari must make “to be good everywhere”

The numbers of Carlos Sainz This year they may indicate that it is a 2023 with more pain than glory but sensations have nothing to do with it. The Spaniard returned to compete head-to-head against Leclerc in his third year wearing the colors of Ferrari and it was the only one capable of winning a race without driving a Red Bull with an extraordinary and unforgettable performance at the Singapore GP. Even finished seventh in the championship and so far from the goal, that there is nothing but to be in the race for the title. In 2024 new opportunity. He has optimism, but he’s also very realistic

“I think it has to be our realistic goal, yes,” Sainz said in a RaceFans statement about the possibility of closing the gap on those from Milton Keynes. “Will we get it? Only time will tell. But I want the team to think it’s possible, because I think it is.”

The end of the year Ferrari It’s nothing to write home about but the step forward is obvious. Proof of this is that they achieved seven pole positions including the last one in Abu Dhabi. So, those Maranello They have strong points but there are other factors to improve. For this reason, Sainz talks about taking one step back with the aim of taking two steps forward.

“The current car has very strong points, but I think if we want to have a car all year round, maybe we have to give up some of these strengths to make sure we’re fast everywhere” he explained.

“Especially in the race. I think in the race, we really have to focus on understanding what we’re doing with this car, what we’re doing with the tires that doesn’t allow us to compete in the level races of Red Bull and McLaren – in Brazil, for example, in Austin, on circuits where you can clearly see that we don’t have race pace.”

The McLaren example

Closing the gap midway through the season with impressive speed were the McLarens. As usual in recent years, the start from Woking was an absolute drama but in 2023 they managed to become perhaps the second best car. Without walking further, Norris achieved the pole in Brazil while Piastre he took the race in the Losail Sprint. Carlos talked about looking at his former team.

“McLaren made these moves during the season; I am very confident that Ferrari can do it during the winter break. I trust this team. I believe in our ability at home to change things. There are still circuits where we are on pole by three tenths with a Red Bull. “It’s just that it’s a very specific feature of the car that’s really good, we just have to make it an all-rounder.”