Carlos Sainz Jr from Spain, driving for the Ferrari SF-24, participated in the Formula 1 tests in Sakhir, Bahrain, on February 23, 2024. Sainz expressed his goal of having a stronger start to the 2024 Formula 1 season compared to his previous campaigns. In 2022, Ferrari initially had the fastest package under the new ground effect regulations, resulting in two wins for Charles Leclerc in the first three races. While Sainz faced initial difficulties, he later secured his first pole position and victory of the season. However, Ferrari’s competitiveness declined during that period. In the previous season, Ferrari had a turbulent start but recovered, with Sainz securing his only non-Red Bull victory in Singapore. Personally, Sainz emphasized the importance of understanding the Ferrari car in 2024 during the tests to avoid another slow start. He stated that starting the year well is his top priority and that he focused on understanding the car and experiencing everything he needed during the tests.
Ferrari made significant changes to address the wind-sensitive limitations of their previous car with the SF-24. Leclerc praised the development, stating that the revamped package is easier to drive than last season’s car. Despite recording the fastest times in winter testing, Sainz believes that Ferrari is still not capable of challenging Red Bull for race wins. He acknowledges that Red Bull remains the leading team, as evidenced by their performance on the C3 tire. Sainz confirmed that the SF-24 provided a much better driving experience compared to the SF-23.
Sainz is preparing for his fourth and final season with Ferrari, as it was recently announced that Lewis Hamilton will replace him in 2025. However, Sainz sees this as an advantage, allowing him to focus exclusively on the present without being involved in future car development meetings. He expressed his desire to clarify his future plans first before shifting his focus, knowing that he needs to concentrate on maximizing his performance with the SF-24.
