On the left side of the image, race winner Max Verstappen is celebrating on the podium with Carlos Sainz Jr, who finished third. This moment took place on April 7, 2024 at the Japanese Grand Prix in Suzuka, Japan.
Carlos Sainz acknowledges that Ferrari may not be able to catch up to Red Bull in the 2024 Formula 1 season, despite the improvements they are planning. Ferrari has proven to be the closest competitor to Red Bull in the early stages of the season, securing five podiums with their updated SF-24 car. A notable achievement was Carlos Sainz leading a Ferrari one-two in Australia, taking advantage of Max Verstappen’s retirement due to brake issues. However, Red Bull responded strongly in Japan, securing their third one-two finish in four races and extending their lead in the championship. Despite this setback, Sainz remains positive about Ferrari’s progress, noting that they have significantly reduced the gap to Red Bull in Suzuka compared to six months ago.
“We have made improvements to the car in the areas we wanted, and Suzuka is proof of that,” Sainz stated. However, he acknowledges that there is still work to be done to match the speed of Red Bull, especially on circuits like Suzuka. Sainz believes that introducing a significant upgrade to the car in the right direction can bring them closer to their goal. He also highlights the improvements made in terms of race pace.
Sainz anticipates that Red Bull will maintain a significant advantage over their rivals in the early stages of the season until Ferrari introduces one or two upgrades that allow them to consistently challenge their competitors. However, he expresses concern that when Ferrari catches up, it may be too late to reduce the gap in the championship.
To narrow the gap to Red Bull in the meantime, Sainz suggests that Ferrari needs more circuits similar to Albert Park, where they showed competitive performance. He also expresses disappointment at missing the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix due to appendicitis, as this could have a negative impact on his and the team’s championship aspirations. Despite the setback, Sainz remains determined to give his best effort, especially as it is his final year with Ferrari. He emphasizes that they have nothing to lose and will do everything possible to make a comeback.
© 2024
