1st system in Japan | “Mega” speed in Ferrari: Sainz is still very strong

If you ignore long-time winner Max Verstappen, he is currently the man in Formula 1: Ferrari star Carlos Sainz looks set to make a big push for the Reds’ forced exit from Maranello, who prefer to rely on world records. champion Lewis Hamilton from 2025.

Week after week, Sainz is currently delivering high performances and good results, interrupted by a short absence due to an appendix operation at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

After his victory in Melbourne two weeks ago, the speedy Spaniard runs on the podium again on Sunday in Suzuka – third behind the two Red Bulls, as he did at the start in Bahrain.

Translated: In every race that Sainz competed in in 2024, he ended up on the podium – and ahead of teammate Charles Leclerc.

The Scuderia had offered him a new contract in the winter, just days before Hamilton’s announcement: Sainz is currently 3-0 in the team battle, and Sainz is also 2-1 in qualifying.

Sainz: In Formula 1 you need a good car

Asked about his recent burst of form, Sainz couldn’t help but smile after the Japanese Grand Prix. However, he remains humble and passes credit to the team: “I’m in good shape this year, I’m driving at a high level. But at the same time, you have a car that allows you to drive a little time, that makes it easier in turbulent air and you can play well with strategy, also so that you can shine brighter.”

Sainz is impressed with the latest results: “We have only improved the car.” Because, as the Spaniard explains: “Last year in the race it always seemed like we were going backwards, we were always just defending ourselves, very bad in managing the tyres. So it was difficult to show a good race.”

In 2024 it will be a different story: “This year after three races we have two podium positions and one victory, with a lot of extreme tricks. It is a completely different picture, but it shows that this is also very important in this sport. The truth is simple “That the car is very important in Formula 1, or rather to have a good one.”

This is how Sainz ripped Norris and Leclerc apart

According to the three-time winner of the Grand Prix, this was true in Suzuka: “To be honest, I had a good race and I’m very happy because it was difficult out there with the tire damage. But suddenly the clouds came and the tire wear decreased a lot. I thought that one station could be faster than the two we had, I had to overtake many cars and that was difficult.

But the strategy worked because Sainz was able to cross well: “As always in Suzuka, you have to find the last chicane perfect to get a good run in the first turn. I did my trick, but it was not easy. “

The Scuderia star never took his eyes off the podium gate. “I needed a big delta to attack Norris and Charles, but it worked in the end. I was quick on the hard tire and I liked the feeling it gave me to push,” said the 29-year-old with satisfaction.

The speed was “mega” in the final stage, says Sainz – and that was important. A few laps before the end he was still in fifth place behind Leclerc and Norris, with slightly cleaner tires but facing the challenge of having to overtake McLaren first. However, a small mistake by Norris solved this problem and Leclerc did not offer any resistance.

Also because of a request from the Ferrari command post: “Don’t waste time with Sainz. We’re driving against Norris.”

Leclerc obediently obeyed and let his teammate go, although Suzuka is considered a track where passing him is not so easy. And the tire delta on the hards between the two counterparts was only ten laps.

Immediately after his final pit stop, Sainz was ten seconds behind Leclerc – and two Mercedes ahead of him. On lap 43, ten laps to go, he appeared in Norris’s DRS window for the first time. And on Lap 44 he had passed McLaren. So it is likely that he would have found Leclerc even without voluntarily making room.

Red Bull continues to be the benchmark for all things Sainz

Only one situation has not changed for Sainz in Japan: for a real chance of victory, at least Verstappen will have to be out, as it was recently in Australia it will be difficult alone. “We knew that our race pace would be better than qualifying, but maybe still not enough to win,” says the Ferrari driver.

“If you consider how good Red Bull’s racing is, it’s hard to imagine a victory anyway,” believes Sainz – with this news, and against the history of his very strong form, which has long made him the hottest stock. in the driver market of 2025, maybe something completely different will start soon.

Sainz finally entered the Suzuka circuit on Sunday morning with Red Bull motorcycle consultant Helmut Marko and chief engineer Paul Monaghan, in a happy and positive mood… a rogue who imagines the worst.