Carlos Sainz still believes he is right to “take the chance” at Ferrari next year despite their current lack of pace.
Back in May, before the Formula 1 season had begun, the Spaniard was confirmed as Sebastian Vettel’s replacement for 2021, alongside Charles Leclerc.
However, with the Italian team struggling in fifth in the Constructors’ Championship after three races, behind Sainz’s current team McLaren, some are wondering if Sainz has made the right call.
“I know that now there are a lot of question marks regarding Ferrari’s performance, but if you look down the history then obviously Ferrari is the most successful team in Formula 1,” he told Sky Sports.
“If you are the right guy for that seat, and I believe I am, then why not take the chance?”
Also Read:
- Sainz confident of succeeding Vettel at Ferrari after replacing Alonso in 2019
- Ferrari put emphasis on performance with changes to technical department
- Ferrari hint at Leclerc priority despite claiming Sainz can be F1 champion
Even so, Sainz’s decision means leaving a team in McLaren that made huge strides to finish ‘best of the rest’ in 2019 and has a vision of once again fighting for wins and championships from 2022.
“I’ve seen this team evolve in the last two years and it’s quite impressive,” he acknowledged.
“The way the team changed its approach at the end of 2018 when they realised they hadn’t produced a good car.
“And the way they suddenly turned up to 2019 with a completely new approach, evolved as a team in 2019 to become better and stronger, and bond together.
“Then the way we went into 2020 starting the season so strongly, I just think this team is going to keep going forward.”
At the same time, however, other teams, like Racing Point, have caught and surpassed the Woking-based team this year.
And after two strong weekends in Austria and a so-so one in Hungary, reading McLaren’s true position is tricky.
“It’s very difficult to tell where the actual pecking order in Formula 1 is right now,” he said, “but definitely I am very happy with how the car is feeling at the moment.
“This season hasn’t yet clicked like it did last year, but we have time still.”
