Carlos Sainz described his first test for Ferrari as “an important moment in my career”, after driving the 2018 car earlier this week.
Ahead of the new season, the Italian team is giving seven drivers the chance to drive the SF71 at Fiorano, with Charles Leclerc completing his first laps of 2021 on Tuesday.
On Wednesday though, it was the turn of the Spaniard, who managed over 100 laps as he continued to settle in at the Scuderia following his move from McLaren.
And commenting afterwards, Sainz, like most who have come before him, couldn’t hide his happiness after his first experience as a Ferrari driver.
“A day I will never forget!” he declared. “This morning, the alarm went off at dawn because we had some very early meetings before going out on track.
“One of the most special moments for me today was when I arrived at the circuit and I saw the Ferrari with my No.55 on it.
“I was eager to jump in the car and that first installation lap was exciting. Then we got down to work and I am very pleased with how the day unfolded. We were able to get through an extensive programme.
“I was able to familiarise myself with the whole setup: the engineers and mechanics, the steering wheel, the procedures which are obviously a bit different to those on the car I drove last season.
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“It was very nice to have my father there at such an important moment in my career. And I’d like to thank Mattia [Binotto, team boss], Laurent [Mekies, sporting director] and everyone at Ferrari for such a warm welcome and such a positive first day in the 2018 car.
“I am very happy and could not have wished for a better start.”
With winter F1 testing this year limited to just three days in March, any opportunity to get behind the wheel was seen as crucial for Sainz.
And he was back on track in the SF71 on Thursday, sharing driver duties with Ferrari junior and 2021 Haas driver Mick Schumacher before the Italian team’s five-day event at Fiorano concludes on Friday.