Is it realistic to think about Ferrari’s victory at Monza? This is how Carlos Sainz responded

Carlos Sainz Experience a special weekend that you will remember forever. In principle, unless he returns to Ferrari in the future, something that cannot be abandoned, the Madrid driver will experience his last race in Italy with Ferrari, supported by thousands and thousands of ‘typhoid‘ that will fill the stands of the mythical Autódromo with red monza. The Spanish driver wants to enjoy that feeling again after securing the pole last year and after hearing the ‘red tide’ sing his name at the bottom of the podium after finishing third in 2023.

Last year’s Ferrari was able to fight a Red Bull light years ahead due to the unique characteristics of the Stapista, a route completely different from the others, with minimal aerodynamic load and pure speed. He managed to take pole position in 2023, but in a car that sank in the race, he was unable to stop the Red Bulls and third. A year later, transalpine fans are dreaming that a car that will not sink this year every Sunday, the Spaniard and Leclerc can fight to win the race no matter how strong and favorite McLaren.

yes indeed The car on this course is not as fast in a corner, but in Monza maybe that can be fixed with the particular rear wing came from the Maranello factory and a new floor.

“I remain optimistic, optimistic and realistic for this weekend. I have good memories from here from last year and this year it may be more difficult to be on pole or win, but we can have a strong weekend and that’s on my mind”said Carlos, but admitted that it will be a tougher challenge than last year because of how strong McLaren and other rivals are.

Because of this, MD was clear with his question: Are you more optimistic than realistic and do you believe that the ‘tifosi’ can dream of their victory here?

“Being realistic, my mind tells me that we are not the best team or the best car since Monaco. That is being realistic. Being optimistic is, yes, it is true, but we are strong in the race in Zandvoort and we were strong here last year so I’m optimistic, but also realistic.”Carlos told this newspaper in the press conference before the Italian GP that Ferrari arranged for its hospitality.

In addition, this medium asked him if it would be better to change the engine for this weekend to have a new and powerful engine to attack, something that Charles did at Zandvoort thinking about this track . “The team will reveal if I change the engine or not, it’s not my job”he replied, not wanting to show his cards.

WHAT HAS IMPROVED IN 4 YEARS AT FERRARI

“As a driver for four years, you improve everything. In Formula 1, four years is a long time to improve every skill, every way of driving, firstly, the 2021 car, which is very different from 2022 , and then 2022 We had to relearn a lot of new skills with this new generation of cars to know exactly how to get the performance out of them, you also learn how to be a Ferrari driver, which people don’t think about what it is, but you need to know how it works at Ferrari, what it feels like to be part of Ferrari, and also improve your communication skills with the team for four years.”

LAST ITALIAN GP AS A FERRARI DRIVER

“It’s emotional, sure, but I really try to enjoy it as much as possible, to embrace the feelings and try to be present. I think the one mistake I sometimes make, and it’s easy to fall into, is to stop being present and To think that the weekend is becoming routine because there are 24 races and it is becoming work and routine Before coming here this weekend, I tried to stop a little, look around and say, ‘ok, I’m a Ferrari driver there are options for a podium or a win this weekend if everything goes well, and try to enjoy the moment at the moment. “In Singapore and Monza last year, I feel they appreciated me more. They support me more than last year, and that makes me grateful and I feel the connection with them that I try to embrace so much. as much as possible.”

LAST ITALIAN GP AS A FERRARI DRIVER

“I always think about my first test at Fiorano and how special Fiorano is for any Formula 1 driver and for Ferrari. My first test was at Fiorano, when I put on the red suit and I saw myself in a red suit. My father was with me to witness that special moment, and I saw a tear roll down his cheek when I was told to leave the pits at Fiorano to ride my first lap in a Ferrari And then, obviously, my first Monza, but without a doubt my pole here last year, the podium at Monza with so much color around, people singing and shouting your name, was a something that will stay with me when I am 80 years old and with my grandchildren, I will tell them what I used to do 40 or 50 years ago, it will be a good story.

LAST’S CAR WAS FAST IN THE QUALY AT MONZA. DID IT CHANGE?

“Good question. I hope it lasts, because although in Zandvoort we are quite consistent with other recent weekends, I hope that the strength is still here this year. And yes, it is a good point about the race and qualifying. It’s been the opposite (so far) of last year, I think we know that’s our goal, so at least the car has done what we want it to do from year to year.

SINGAPORE AND MONZA IN 2023 ARE WITH THEIR CAREER BESTS. WILL IT REPEAT?

“I don’t know if they are my best performances. I think they are the most visible because that is when you have the fastest car and you can show yourself a little more. But I have weekends in my memory where I performed at a really high level, almost the same as in Singapore, but not as visible or appreciated because maybe you were fifth instead of first on the grid and sixth instead of third or first in the race.

FANS’ PHRASES

“Yes, actually, many people in many cities in the last few days who, apart from “Forza Ferrari”, told me “we are all with you, Carlos”. Many gave me letters and really nice words like “we.” will even follow you. at Williams, we wish you the best at Williams and we will support you even if you are a Williams driver, we want you to do well.” Ferrari wants to do well, to receive those words as a pilot is something clearly leaves me with a whole heart, and it is something very nice to read or receive.

ANOTHER FAN WEEKEND: IS ANYTHING CHANGING TO HAVE MORE ENERGY?

“No, the thing is, as busy as this weekend is, which is the busiest of the season, the energy of the tifosi and the adrenaline of the weekend keeps you going. That’s what happened last year. I remember that I thought I was very busy last year, but I also remember being full of energy the amount of tifosi you meet, the time you spend with them, signing autographs and receiving their support, all that gives giving you strength and making you happy in that moment.