Carlos Sainz, the sole non-Red Bull driver to clinch a victory in the 2023 Formula 1 season, is gearing up for another campaign in 2024 with Scuderia Ferrari. Despite a mixed performance that landed him seventh in the standings, two places behind teammate Charles Leclerc, Sainz’s pinnacle moment came at the Singapore Grand Prix, where he secured victory from pole position, breaking Max Verstappen’s ten-race win streak.
Reflecting on the season, Sainz acknowledges both ups and downs but remains optimistic about his future with Ferrari. In an interview with the DAZN network, he expressed his contentment with the team, stating, “I’m so happy at Ferrari and so happy to be part of this team that, at the moment, I don’t see an expiry date. I hope I have many, many years ahead of me and I wouldn’t mind having all of them in red.”
Sainz’s primary goal is to become a world champion, and he envisions achieving that milestone with Ferrari. Looking ahead to the 2024 season, he believes the team has the capacity to contend for the championship.
“I hope I have many, many years ahead of me and I wouldn’t mind having all of them in red. My main motivation is to be a world champion. And if I can achieve that with Ferrari, even better. That’s what we have to try for in 2024 and I think we have the capacity.”
Acknowledging the formidable challenge posed by Max Verstappen, Sainz notes that while Ferrari has shown promising pace, there is still a gap to bridge. Despite occasionally outpacing Red Bull in qualifying, Sainz recognizes the need to translate that speed into race victories.
He emphasizes the influence of Verstappen in setting the standard but also highlights the role of the Red Bull team. Sainz closely observes not only Verstappen but also other drivers like Lando Norris to understand their strategies and techniques on different circuits.
As Sainz anticipates the 2024 season, he makes a bold request for a car capable of winning races. His focus is on securing victories and entering each race with the belief that he can compete for the top spot. Sainz’s determination and optimism set the stage for an exciting season as he aims to further elevate Ferrari’s competitive prowess in Formula 1.
