Going fast with a car is relatively easy for a Formula 1 driver, but dancing on the limit takes something more. It is not a matter of talent, or not only: confidence and experience are needed in each of the reactions of the car. no one in the paddock doubt the skill and work of Carlos Sainz, a midfield benchmark from his time at McLaren and last year’s first Ferrari, but it is a fact that the F1-75 is still a stranger to the Madrid driver and only Leclerc has been able to get the most out of it performance in each classification and race.
Sainz himself tries to explain why he suffers at the wheel of a car that is theoretically a winner. “You see on board cameras, I’m still not there, in the car, compared to last year. I’m not a natural driver. The car is a bit oversteer (he used the word ‘pointy’, in English) for my taste, but it is what it is, you can adapt to it or try to make the car fit your tastes. Both things take time, trial and error, and I am in that process to correct it as soon as possible. At the same time, to my left (by Leclerc) there is a guy who is doing an excellent job, with impressive laps that I can only admire and in some things try to copy. As a driver, it is a challenge”, he commented in Montmeló.
March fifth in the World Cup with three podiums and 65 points after fourth place in the Spanish GP, a bitter fourth due to the bad start and the small spin in the corner that forced him to come back. This year there were other mistakes by a sure driver (his streak of grand prix finishes and in the points was among the longest in championship history). Before there were accidents in Melbourne (race), Ímola (classification) and Miami (free).
The curious case of Vettel
In 2019, Leclerc arrived at Ferrari with an apprentice band, but from the first kilometers he stood out for his ability to put in trouble Vettel, mate then. While one aspired to poles and victories for three quarters of the season, the other starred in spins unbecoming of a four-time champion at key moments. That SF90 had a strong front axle, but its rear axle tended to oversteer (or slightly skid). Leclerc tolerates oversteer and makes it a strong point; Vettel would have preferred a Ferrari with more grip coming out of corners, more predictable. Now Sainz finds himself in a similar situation. That said, the difference between the two at the end of that season was just 24 points, with both posting poles and wins.
It is a matter of time before the Spanish return to the situation. “Suddenly, or little by little”, He says it won’t matter. This week he can redeem himself in Monaco, one of those tracks that he’s traditionally good at. Last year he achieved his first podium there dressed in Ferrari red. “I’m always confident and fast in Monaco, I can put in good laps there, but you also need confidence in the car and the balance that you like in Monaco. I will go to the weekend as in all, thinking that I can win”, affirms Sainz. In search of the turning point.