Ferrari is preparing for the last race weekend before the summer break for the Belgian GP, in the evocative setting of Spa-Francorchamps but the focus is not only on the track: in fact, the driver market is constantly evolving and Carlos Sainz could find himself without a seat for next year. La Haas this morning Esteban Ocon made it official, thus closing its line up for the next few years.
Although the Spaniard recently declared that he no longer wants to give updates on his decision, it is inevitable to expect a choice in these weeks of break, before it is too late. At this point the idea of placing himself in a top team after three years at Ferrari seems to be difficult, even if Sainz is not willing to give up. On the table, without a driver, Williams, Alpine, Racing Bulls, Stake Sauber and Mercedes remain. Here are Sainz's words in the usual press conference preceding the weekend in Belgium.
The sensations for the Belgian GP, a crucial weekend for Ferrari
Ferrari is no longer second force and now the points in the standings also say so. With the double in Hungary, McLaren formalized an overtaking that is now inevitable given the growth of the Woking team. At Spa the Maranello team will have to capitalize as much as possible, trying to survive a weekend that promises to be truly complicated, given the bouncing problems highlighted in the last few races. However, making things a little easier will be the absence of Max Verstappen, as the Dutchman faces a 10-place penalty that he will have to serve. Ahead of the Belgian GP, Sainz spoke about his feelings for the weekend.
Sainz: “The progress in Hungary was encouraging”
Carlos Sainz comes from a disappointing sixth place in Hungary. The start compromised the Spaniard's race and he then had to manage a race all alone, without too many opportunities. In Hungary the heat and the characteristics of the Hungaroring did not put Ferrari in difficulty, but the most important test to understand the weak points of the updated SF-24 will arrive this weekend in Belgium, at Spa. A weekend in which, unlike than last year with the Sprint, Ferrari will be able to use all three free practice sessions to collect data also in view of the summer break.
"Spa is a completely different circuit to the Hungaroring, which was more similar to Montmeló in terms of downforce and cornering speed. This is instead a track more similar to Silverstone, where we experienced a difficult weekend and suffered a lot at team level. However, I am encouraged by the progress seen in Hungary, we were a little bit faster there, especially in the race. Let's see how we fare in Spa and if we can get close to the first two teams, because now it's clear that Red Bull and McLaren have three-four tenths on us if they manage to give their best. "
Sainz: “I dream of a top team, but I don't want to take a sabbatical”
Carlos Sainz recently clarified his intentions for the future, categorically ruling out the possibility of a sabbatical.
"My best option for next year would be a car that can win the title, has always been my first priority since these discussions about my future started – said the Spaniard. Sainz admitted that the chances of getting a winning car are slim, but he remains focused on this goal and has discarded the idea of a break.
“We all know that the probability of this happening is small but it has always been my goal and if it doesn't happen I will choose the best project for my immediate future. Who will win the championship next year? I don't know, I have to look first and then to understand what will be there. Gap year? Absolutely not. I love Formula 1: at the peak of my career I prefer to go to a mid-table team and help them find the right path".
Source statements: FormulaPassion
