The Spanish Formula 1 Grand Prix is approaching, scheduled for June 2 to 4, and the Barcelona track hosted a press briefing in Madrid to outline the final details ahead of the official presentation in the Catalan city. Carlos Sainz, who had just arrived from Miami, spoke about the current challenges facing Scuderia Ferrari and why the team has yet to secure a win or multiple podiums in the opening rounds of the season. He acknowledged the progress being made while acknowledging a tougher fight than expected, noting that Red Bull’s performance has elevated the level across the grid.
Sainz is a Madrid native with a strong record in Formula 1, including a victory at Silverstone in 2022 and a string of podium finishes he brings into every race weekend. On stage with him were Manuel Aviñó, vice-president of the FIA and president of the Royal Spanish Automobile Federation, along with Josep Lluis Santamaria, the managing director of Circuit de Barcelona-C Catalunya. The trio represented a team focused on diagnosing where Ferrari needs to improve and identifying the adjustments that could close the gap with their main rival from Austria. They emphasized the ongoing thorough analysis within the Maranello factory and the determination to implement changes as quickly as possible to recapture momentum.
Sainz stressed that the team remains in a critical phase of evaluation, working hard to convert data into actionable improvements. He noted that the performance gap to the leader, Max Verstappen, is significant and that every element of the car is being scrutinized to uncover missing components of the package. The driver remained hopeful about the rest of the season, highlighting the importance of learning from each weekend and translating those lessons into performance gains on track. With Imola and Monaco looming before the Spanish Grand Prix, the Spanish squad faces two demanding races that will put the team’s updates to the test. Sainz also mentioned that the ongoing upgrades are designed to position Ferrari more competitively when they arrive at Barcelona, aiming to deliver a stronger showing and a cleaner path toward the podium for the home crowd.