Carlos Sainz Jr from Spain, driving for Ferrari, celebrated his third place on the podium at the Japanese Grand Prix. The race took place on April 7, 2024, as part of the Formula 1 World Championship.
During the Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix, Carlos Sainz acknowledged that winning was an unrealistic goal. However, he expressed satisfaction in securing another podium in Suzuka.
After taking advantage of Max Verstappen’s retirement in Australia to lead a Ferrari one-two, Sainz’s hopes were dashed in Japan as Red Bull dominated and scored maximum points.
Finishing 20.866 seconds behind Verstappen and over eight seconds behind Sergio Perez, Sainz’s performance highlighted the difference between Ferrari and the reigning champions.
Although Sainz believed his race pace was better than his qualifying performance, he acknowledged it was still not enough to compete for a win.
Given Red Bull’s exceptional race pace, Sainz considered it almost impossible to imagine a victory. However, he remained hopeful of securing a podium finish, which he ultimately achieved despite the challenges and strategic nature of the race.
Sainz made an incredible recovery in the final part of the race, climbing from seventh place to finish third. This impressive performance was made possible by his strategic pit stop and the use of different tires, allowing him to catch up to the cars ahead at a rapid pace.
According to Sainz, track conditions played a significant role in his success. The transition from a sunny track to a cloudy one caused a significant decrease in tire degradation, allowing him to push harder and regain lost ground. This unexpected change in circumstances completely altered the race dynamics.
Initially, Sainz doubted the possibility of reaching the podium. However, with the introduction of new hard tires, his pace improved significantly, securing him a place on the podium. This achievement highlights the progress Ferrari has made in terms of race pace compared to the previous season.
Sainz believes that the team’s third and fourth places in Japan demonstrate their improvement in the areas they were looking to enhance. Although they are not yet as strong as Red Bull, Sainz remains optimistic that future upgrades will bring them closer to their goal. The team’s overall improvement, especially in race pace, has provided them with more strategic options, allowing Sainz to focus on advancing and overtaking his opponents.
In conclusion, Sainz is pleased with the team’s progress and the increased enjoyment he feels while competing. The incredible recovery in Japan shows his ability to adapt and make strategic decisions, which was not always possible in the previous season.
