Carlos Sainz Jr. is having fun with an amazing run of type because the 2024 System 1 season winds down. Sainz has secured six podiums this 12 months, together with a win within the Australian Grand Prix, and has an opportunity to observe his P2 in final week’s United States Grand Prix with one other podium end result having certified in pole place for Sunday’s Mexico Metropolis Grand Prix. That success has helped Ferrari climb again into the combo within the Constructor’s Championship, because the staff now trails second-place Purple Bull by simply eight factors, and first-place McLaren by 48
Nevertheless, this great run of success comes as his time at Ferrari is winding down. With Lewis Hamilton becoming a member of the staff for the 2025 marketing campaign, Sainz is headed to Williams for subsequent 12 months on a brand new “multi-year” deal.
It’s a “bittersweet” ending to his time in Maranello, a reality Sainz mirrored on throughout the FIA Press Convention following qualifying in Mexico Metropolis.
“Given how good the automotive is, how nicely I’m driving not too long ago, you understand, it’s clearly optimistic going into the final 5 races,” mentioned Sainz in response to a query from Luke Smith at The Athletic. “On the similar time, bittersweet as a result of it provides me a sense Ferrari may be within the combat for the World Championship subsequent 12 months and I cannot be there to make use of it.
“And I really feel like I’ve been fairly an enormous a part of this staff over the last 4 years making an attempt to organize the staff to combat for that championship subsequent 12 months, you understand, and the truth that I’m driving nicely, being quick with the automotive and I’m dwelling in 5 races is certainly leaves me a bit… I don’t know say it, however not with an excellent feeling,” added Sainz. “However it’s what it’s. I’m going to attempt to, as I’ve mentioned, win extra races, stand on the rostrum for so long as I can throughout these 5 races and revel in that. After which we’ll take into consideration subsequent 12 months.”
Subsequent 12 months will come when it does, however first Sainz has a race to win, and one of many longest runs into Flip 1 on the System 1 calendar. With Sainz beginning forward of Max Verstappen and Lando Norris — two drivers vying for the Drivers’ Championship — what’s going to Sainz be excited about because the lights exit?
Holding that lead, in keeping with the Ferrari driver.
“No, truthfully, the beginning I’ll simply do every part I can to remain in P1 as a result of additionally round Mexico that’s actually vital for the cooling of the automotive, for the tyres and every part. So I’ll do every part I can. However I say my focus is on the 0 to 100 and on the launch. Then every part else occurring from then onwards… It relies upon, additionally, on how good my rivals begin and all of the instinctive selections that all of us take within the begin,” mentioned Sainz Saturday. “I’ll belief my instincts and clearly with the intention of getting out of that nook P1 for positive.”
We’ll see if Sainz can maintain that lead come Sunday afternoon, when the lights exit in Mexico Metropolis.
