Carlos Sainz is asserting confidence about a strong showing in the upcoming championship race this weekend on the Hungarian track. After the tense battle at Silverstone, the fight to position Ferrari as the second force behind Red Bull has sharpened, with Ferrari, Mercedes, Aston Martin, and McLaren posing consistent challenges and chasing podium spots.
He noted that the competition feels incredibly tight and that Alpine could join the fray. Even a marginal improvement, such as a tenth of a second, can redefine a weekend’s outcomes. The performance gap behind Red Bull hinges on how well each team adapts to the weather and track conditions, especially wind and temperature, which the car currently responds to in a sensitive way. This assessment came from Sainz during the FIA press conference in Budapest, where he outlined his expectations for the Hungaroring and the variables that could tilt the balance among the contenders.
“We’ve advanced in certain areas and we hope the Hungaroring will be more favorable for us,” he said, projecting a solid, if not dominant, performance. He also reflected on his goal of reaching the podium, recalling his third-place finish in 2021 and expressing a personal wish to dedicate any potential podium to his grandfather. The remark underscores not only his competitive aim but also the emotional stakes tied to his recent results and family connections in the sport. The context around his comments hints at a weekend where small improvements can unlock meaningful gains and where the team’s setup choices will be tested by track-specific demands and changing weather patterns. (Source: team press conferences and race-day briefings)
deferred renewal
The head of Scuderia Ferrari, Fred Vasseur, signaled a pragmatic stance on contracts during the Silverstone phase, indicating that the immediate focus for the organization would be on performance and car development rather than on driver contract renewals. Both Sainz and Leclerc, whose contracts expire in 2024, were acknowledged to be in a holding pattern, with the team prioritizing car improvement to restore their position in the title fight for 2024. The stance from Maranello aligns with a broader strategy to ensure the chassis, aerodynamics, and power unit are tuned to maximize the race package rather than to secure long-term driver deals in the heat of a competitive season. (Attribution: internal leadership communications and public statements)
“I agree with the approach right now. Ferrari has more priority on performance than on driver contracts,” Sainz commented, emphasizing that immediate focus is on competing at the highest level. He stressed that his primary objective is to help the team challenge for the championship, rather than fretting about future positions. “There isn’t time to think about the what-ifs of 2025. The goal is to push Ferrari back to the top,” he added, noting that thoughts about his own long-term plans would come during the winter period. This perspective reflects a driver determined to contribute to a resurgence in the team’s fortunes, while also signaling a pragmatic, team-first mindset during a critical phase of the season. (Source: post-qualifying media interactions)