Victory in Singapore as a lever for even more success in 2024 for Carlos Sainz jr
While Ferrari finished the season in third place in the constructors' standings, a long way behind the untouchable Red Bulls, Carlos Sainz's victory in Singapore rekindled hopes of a comeback for the Scuderia, according to its Spanish driver.
This 2023 season has been dominated by Red Bull and their triple world champion, Max Verstappen. Out of the 22 races this year, only the Singapore Grand Prix was not won by the Austrian team.
Carlos Sainz and Ferrari prevented Red Bull from winning all the races this season. The Spaniard managed to secure a second consecutive pole position, after the one he obtained in Monza, before turning it into his second career victory.
« Singapore has been a tremendous achievement »
This victory has restored confidence to the Scuderia. The team finished third in the constructor championship, three points behind Mercedes. For Carlos Sainz, this victory is the result of his own progress and a hope to see Ferrari fighting at the front in 2024.
« The first part of the year has been difficult because I think we all expected more, myself included. I was a little disappointed and surprised by the gap with Red Bull on certain circuits, and by the fact that we couldn’t really fight for the goals we had set for ourselves, admits Carlos Sainz. »
« Then, for the second half, it was clear to me and the team that it was about maximizing what we had, recognizing the fact that there would be races where we would fight for poles, and maybe for a victory, but there would be other tracks where we had to settle for P5, P6, P7 because we were about a second off the pace in terms of race pace. Recognizing that and adapting to it is what changed my mindset and made me realize that every weekend was going to be a little different and it was simply about trying to be consistent, trying to bring points to the team, and maximizing what we have,” explains the Spaniard.
« I was coming out of a difficult 2022, and my goal for 2023 was to regain my speed. I feel like in 2022, I wasn’t as fast as in 2021, with the old generation of cars. My goal for this year was to better understand this new generation and be faster. Just to have more and more speed both in qualifying and in the race. I think I have definitely achieved both of these goals. I definitely feel much faster, much more on top of the car in qualifying and in the race. »
Singapore was the only setback for Red Bull this season, and it benefited the Scuderia Ferrari, which was imperial this weekend in the city-state.
« It’s not like we had much chances of winning a race this year. And the fact that it appeared in Singapore and that we seized it and didn’t miss a single opportunity there. Maximizing the FP1, FP2, FP3, Q1, Q2, Q3, and the race has been, I believe, a huge accomplishment not only for me but also for the team. To prove to the team that when the opportunity arises next year, we will be capable of winning, » hopes Carlos Sainz.
