Carlos Sainz F1 knows Ferrari’s upgrade is coming: ‘Maybe too late to challenge Red Bull’

Carlos Sainz knows that the improvements that Ferrari will bring to the F1 race in Europe will have a big impact on the performance of the team, but he also has to admit that he fears that Max Verstappen and Red Bull Racing will already have a big lead in the two championships.

During the press conference after the race in Japan, in which Sainz finished third behind the two Red Bull cars, Sainz said that even the improvements that Ferrari will bring to the European race will not lead to closing the current gap towards the Red Bull. “I think they will definitely have an advantage in the first third of the season until we come up with one or two updates that will allow us to fight them regularly. But by then it might be a little too late for that advantage. They could win the championship.”

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Sainz doesn’t see Red Bull making any mistakes

Sainz, who had to watch his former employer (although he only drove for sister team Toro Rosso) dominate F1 with Verstappen in the last two seasons, has little hope in Red Bull’s own mistakes. “I don’t see Red Bull as a team that makes these mistakes often. It’s a shame, because I also missed a race and it could be expensive for the team and me in the championship. We’re running one race down, but at the same time we’re doing everything we can to do your best.”

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Last season Ferrari

Sainz is in his final season with the Ferrari team, where he has driven in recent seasons as Charles Leclerc’s teammate. The Spaniard’s contract expires at the end of this season and Lewis Hamilton will be his replacement next year. As far as Sainz is concerned, he has nothing to lose in 2024. “It is also my last year at Ferrari, so we have nothing to lose and we will do everything we can to come back.”

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