Carlos Sainz is feeling the sting of missed chances in recent Formula 1 races, admitting that he needs to address his weaknesses to turn his season around. Despite Ferrari’s resurgence with a more competitive car, Sainz has struggled to keep up with his teammate Charles Leclerc, leaving the Spaniard trailing by 55 points with only six rounds left in the season.
Sainz had been closing in on Leclerc earlier in the season, taking advantage of Ferrari’s ups and downs in development. However, since the summer break, Sainz’s form has taken a hit, managing just 28 points compared to Leclerc’s impressive 68. Ferrari’s upgraded SF-24 car has seen Leclerc snatch a victory at Monza and a podium in Baku, while Sainz’s best efforts have fallen short.
Reflecting on his recent struggles, Sainz confessed, “The last couple of races have been a bit of a wasted opportunity. I’m not happy with how things have gone on these last two weekends.” His disappointment is clear as Ferrari has shown flashes of being highly competitive, yet Sainz has failed to capitalize.
Sainz’s season took a downturn after the summer break, starting at Zandvoort, where he failed to keep pace with Leclerc. His frustration only grew as he missed out on podium finishes due to errors, including a costly clash with Sergio Perez in Azerbaijan. Despite the setbacks, Sainz remains optimistic about the remainder of the season and Ferrari’s ability to control the high-speed bouncing that plagued them earlier.
Looking ahead, Sainz remains hopeful that Ferrari’s recent gains can translate into strong performances in the upcoming races in Austin, Mexico, and Las Vegas. “I’m gonna keep myself optimistic. Six races left in this long year; I’m gonna work on my weaknesses and put myself in a better position for the last six races.”
One of Sainz’s critical areas of focus will be his performance in qualifying, where he has consistently lagged behind Leclerc. The three-time F1 race winner has been outqualified by Leclerc in every race since the summer break, with a 12-5 deficit in their head-to-head this season. Sainz acknowledges that he needs to improve his confidence in qualifying to set himself up better for race day.
“I just try and feel a bit more confident going into turn one and in qualifying, because clearly these last few weekends haven’t been the best approach,” Sainz said. “If we can qualify a bit further up like we were doing at the beginning of the year, it makes the whole weekend a lot easier.”
With just a handful of races remaining, Sainz is determined to end the season on a high note. His commitment to working on his weaknesses could be the key to closing the gap to Leclerc and finishing the year strong. As Ferrari continues to fight for every point, Sainz’s drive to improve will be crucial in shaping his future with the team.
