Ferrari officially introduced Carlos Sainz for 2021

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The mythical Italian team revealed its driver pair for the next Formula 1 season

The Italian team Ferrari officially presented its two drivers for the 2021 season of Formula 1 consisting of the Spanish Carlos Sainz and the Monegask Charles Leclerc

Sainz assured this Friday that he was fulfilling one of his “best dreams” by signing for the Italian team, but rejected comparisons to his father’s performance Carlos Sainz, two-time world rally champion, whom he considers a “pioneer” of motorsport “impossible to surpass”.

“In Fiorano I put on the red suit for the first time, I drove a car Ferrari and I did it on a mythical circuit. I did all of that in one day and I will never forget it. I was worried at first, but then the excitement subsided and I enjoyed the day and what happened, ”he said. Carlos Sainz at a press conference with a closed door accompanied by Leclerc, and the director, Mattia Binotto

Carlos Sainz, fifth Spanish driver in the history of Ferrari, acknowledged that he dreamed of becoming a “Ferrarista” from childhood and, despite having managed to meet his enormous challenge, he is far from finished his professional growth.

“I will never be above my father’s shadow. He is a double world champion. [de rally], something that I have not yet achieved, although it is my intention. In addition, he was a pioneer, a special driver, marking a before and after in the rally, ”he said.

“It’s going to be hard to beat him, even if I’m part of it Ferrari and I have achieved one of my best dreams. My dad has won two world titles, I think it’s impossible to beat him ”, he added.

Sainz premiered with Ferrari in some tests at Fiorano on Jan. 27 aboard the 2018 SF71H and is optimistic about the work done since then, although stressing that it is impossible to really know what level his team is in relation to the other contenders before it starts The season.

“It’s impossible to know where we are. We know what our simulations say, where we are in terms of maximum speed, but it’s impossible to predict where we’ll be until we see what our rivals were doing,” he warned.

Sainz, 26 years old, forms next Leclerc (23) the pair of pilots from Ferrari Younger since 1968 and despite both having a high competitive level, they emphasized that the first thing will be the team’s well-being.

“There is always a balance to be found. They want to be competitive, but at the same time, especially at the moment, we have to work for the team, we both want the team to grow. We started the right way, we have a good relationship. , we spend a lot of time together in Maranello, ”he said.

“I am confident in our relationship, I have never had any problems with a partner and I don’t see why I should have problems with Charles,” he insisted.

Sainz, who set his deadline to become world champions at five years, acknowledged that it will be difficult to make it 100 percent to the first Grand Prix of the year, on March 28 in Bahrain.

“My intention is to be at the maximum for the first race, but it’s really hard to get to it. It’s about experience, feelings of winning race after race. It’s hard to say when I’ll be my best. It’s better from the first Grand Prix, but that also depends on how you feel about the new car, ”he warned.

For his part, Leclerc He acknowledged this Friday that both he and his team-mate are highly competitive people, but pledged to separate “what happens on and off the track” for the good of the team.

“Obviously we have to fight for the good of the team. Carlos wants to beat me and I want to beat him, but when we are in the races we will fight carefully, we will try to see what we can do for the race team, “he said.” The important thing is to separate what happens on and off the track. Outside the car, we have to work together, and also in the car, with strategy. Carlos is competitive, but he is here for the good of the team. ”

Leclerc has cooperated with Carlos Sainz and the engineers from Ferrari He was looking forward to next season and was pleased with the improvements achieved, although he believes it will be necessary to wait for the first races to draw any conclusions.

“It seems we are taking good steps, we have worked a lot with Carlos from the start, we push hard and we see improvements. Everything seems positive, but you have to see what others are doing to understand where we are. The team gives everything , ‘he said.

In person, Leclerc reported that in recent weeks he has focused on analyzing his performance from last year to try to improve himself.

“We did some tests with the 2018 car, I feel ready for the new year. I’m trying to learn, to see what my weaknesses were. I’ve watched the last few races to see what I can do better.” , said the Monegask.

And last but not least, Binotto this Friday celebrated the signing of Spanish Carlos Sainz as a team driver and felt that last season’s results showed that the choice was correct.

Before you sign Sainz We saw his growth over the last few seasons, we saw him grow and we were clear that he was a great rider, strong, with personality. We knew it would be a good companion Leclerc“He said.” At the end of 2020, many people congratulated us on the decision to sign SainzI am happy with our choice, as the past season has shown Sainz is correct for Ferrari

Binotto He was also very pleased with how Sainz he has adapted to the team despite not having much time at his disposal.

“Three days of testing is not a lot, we also alternate the two riders. We know that it is a challenge for Carlos, but every kilometer he covered is important to adapt. I must say that Carlos has grown very well, he has. adapted very well. well “, assured. “His speed is good, we need time and we don’t expect him to be 100 percent at the start of the season, but I think he will be ready, close to the maximum. He’s not an inexperienced driver, he’s a professional. and he will manage the situation well. “

At the level of sports projects, Binotto acknowledged that its engineers and mechanics will be working with the utmost attention in the 2022 season, as it is prohibitive to scrap the margin of difference with Mercedes, which dominated the last world championships, in one year.

“The margin built up last year is high and you cannot recover it in a winter. Our focus will be on the development of the car from 2022, it is the main goal, we will not spend much time on 2021. In 2022 there are many changes and most of our efforts will be in the 2022 car, ”he concluded.

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