A year has passed since Carlos Sainz stood on the Silverstone podium for the first time in Formula 1 and tasted victory—an achievement that marked a milestone in his career. That triumph was one of three pole positions he highly regards in his résumé, a testament to the talent that Madrid-born driver has consistently shown. There were high hopes that this win would signal a new era with Ferrari, yet the season unfolded differently. Sainz found himself facing formidable competition from Red Bull and Max Verstappen, while the SF-23 chassis from Maranello revealed some shortcomings in key moments. In retrospect, the races in Canada and Austria began to hint at a clearer path forward for him, even if the road remained bumpy.
Sainz has yet to stand on the podium this year, unlike his teammate Charles Leclerc, who despite trailing in the standings, has managed to reach the podium twice, in Baku (third) and at the previous round in Austria. At the Red Bull Ring, the Spaniard endured a weekend that was at once rewarding and frustrating. He finished third in the Saturday sprint and fourth on Sunday, constrained by a strategy that did not pay off and by sanctions for exceeding track limits that pained the team. The result left him in sixth place, just behind several penalties that reiterated the ongoing struggle to keep pace with the very top teams.
On the eve of the British Grand Prix, Sainz spoke about the latest team discussions and confessed that Ferrari had reassessed its approach concerning Leclerc during the Austrian weekend. He explained that after hearing the team’s arguments, he understood the rationale behind their decisions. When you step back and analyze things calmly, you often gain a sharper insight into the collective perspective. The two costly pit stops, among the year’s first, cost four seconds and altered the order, allowing three opponents to slip past. The critical takeaway was this: when a rival car pulls away, the time deficit compounds, and the chance to move forward erodes. Although he had a spare, he acknowledged why the team chose not to push the double-pass scenario, accepting the logic behind prioritizing a longer strategic plan over immediate gains.
Carlos did not shy away from addressing his frustration with the FIA’s penalties: he admitted anger over the Australia decision but noted that this time around the handling felt predictable given the weekend’s recurrent track-limit issues. He emphasized a constructive mindset aimed at contributing to solutions that can stabilise Formula 1, stressing that the sport cannot tolerate another weekend of similar chaos. The message was clear: the desire to protect the integrity of racing must be matched by practical steps to prevent repeated disruptions, for drivers, teams, and fans alike. He reiterated a commitment to supporting the sport and the governing bodies in seeking workable, lasting improvements, acknowledging that the outcome affects everyone involved in the championship.
Looking ahead, Sainz remains a positive force for Ferrari. He asserted that his rhythm is solid and that results will follow in due course. He expressed a measured hope of standing on a podium again before the year ends and framed that aspiration as sustained motivation. Though Red Bull maintains a strong lead, he noted that Mercedes and Aston Martin have shown stronger performances that can upset the pecking order on any given weekend. The driver stressed the importance of continuing to refine the car’s balance and reliability, especially on tracks that demand high tire management and precise setup—elements that can influence outcomes on circuits as challenging as Silverstone. The path forward, he suggested, would involve testing new approaches, learning from the wind and road texture, and leveraging the team’s data to gain a competitive edge at the right moments. He reminded fans that consistency is a marathon, not a sprint, and that discipline across race weekends will be decisive as the season unfolds.
So where might a second victory emerge? Sainz provided a candid, strategic view: the team needs Verstappen and Red Bull to introduce more variability to the mix. If the reigning champions shake things up, and if the car’s performance aligns with the team’s adjustments, a triumph this year remains within reach. Until then, the focus is on methodical progress—extracting the most from the car on circuits that suit or challenge the SF-23, maintaining reliability, and seizing opportunities when they arise. In the balance between ambition and prudence, Ferrari seeks to convert late-season momentum into a string of strong results, as Sainz continues to push for a consistent role in the championship battle rather than a singular breakthrough moment. The season’s outcome remains unwritten, and the Madrid native is prepared to chase every remaining race with determination, hoping for a cadence that could reassert his standing among Formula 1’s elite. — Ferrari communications