The Ferrari comes from a very heavy double zero in Australia, but is rather optimistic about the return to Baku, a track that fell short of expectations last year. The forced break allowed the team to work on its weaknesses, on the critical issues highlighted in these first three races of the season. Watch out for the weekend though Sprint which will require a much greater effort from the riders and the team. So on the eve of the first qualifying sessions which will take place tomorrow afternoon, let's see the sensations of Carlos Sainz, interviewed during the usual Press conference.
The novelty of the Sprint “2.0”
There is great expectation for the new format of the Sprint weekend which will be tested at Baku. A weekend that makes all predictions completely uncertain. Leaving aside the FP1 on Friday, the schedule for the rest of the weekend is decidedly packed. With two races and two qualifying sessions, anything can happen. The new format was approved just a couple of days ago. Which is why not everyone has yet fully understood how it works. Sainz himself had some difficulty memorizing the weekend schedule.
“My approach to Saturday? what's on Saturday? There is the shootout qualification? that will be difficult probably the hardest session because we should wake up and do Q1 right away. I'll have to try to stay wide awake, maybe warm up first, take a cold shower to wake up and then be able to push hard on this track that has many dips and long straights. It will be a very busy schedule. The Sprint will be fun! More competition, both physically and mentally but if it satisfies everyone, both fans and media well we do it!”
Similar weekend to Australia
In Baku we won't see teams overturning the single-seaters, also due to Sprint which only offers one practice session to find the right set up. The SF23 is not yet at the desired level and we will have to wait to see the growth that has begun to be glimpsed in Australia, with a better pace. Baku will serve to confirm this. The process to improve the car's performance and unlock the potential trapped in its red cage has already begun in these weeks of break. The team is proceeding with the planning of the development calendar, as also confirmed by Sainz who, however, remains aware of the clear superiority of Red Bull.
“We know the car much better, especially in recent weeks we have analyzed the situation well to understand the direction to take with development. That was our first thought in this break, identifying our weaknesses and the strengths of our direct rivals such as Red Bull who are still one step ahead of everyone else. We have to try to react, to be able to fight with them again. Our chances will be similar to what we had in Australia where we were quicker. We hope to be able to continue in this direction.”
Mekies' farewell
At Ferrari the changes linked to the restructuring of the team continue. To bid farewell to the team this time was an indispensable figure, according to Vasseur himself, namely that of the Racing Director, Laurent Mekies. Mekies will join AlphaTauri to play the role of Team Principal. More elements will come to compensate for this loss. Ferrari has in fact actively returned to the market, a factor which however does not disturb Sainz, who is confident in the team, and in the direction that the management is taking.
“On a personal level, he is a very good person, a very strong figure and I am happy with the direction his career will take. When you're called for such an important role, you can't refuse the offer. There are several changes going on and for people who leave just as many enter. We are doing our best to restructure the team and to be competitive again. I'm sure people will come to make up for these latest losses we've had. It's only a matter of time, but I have a lot of faith in the approach of Vasseur and the management. For how they are handling things. I expect positive changes in the future.”
