Carlos Sainz: “Important to gain experience with the car”

With only three days of testing in the SF21, see the arrival of the Bahrain Grand Prix was a primary objective for Carlos Sainz. Author of a cautious start, the Spaniard gradually increased the tempo on the track yesterday on the Sakhir track, without however putting himself in a position to play the leading roles.

Under the checkered flag, an eighth place which in a sense satisfies the former driver Renault et McLaren, he who seeks to find confidence in a Ferrari SF21 visibly a little more efficient than its predecessor.

“It was very important for me to finish the race and to continue to gain experience with the car, mentions the Iberian pilot. Maybe that's why this time I didn't take too many risks at the start and it cost me a few places.

I was curious to see how the car reacted to aero disturbances during a race start and I knew I would have the opportunity to get back into my rhythm once.

When the situation stabilized, I started to attack lap by lap and I think we showed a very strong pace with the medium tire and especially with the hard tire during the last stint.

I also managed to do some good overtaking. Today, I am happy with the work accomplished throughout the weekend. Ferrari wants more, and I want more. But it's a promising start and we will continue to give everything to get there. »

The next meeting F1, at Imola on April 18, will be the opportunity for Ferrari to play at home for the first time this season and to try to show further progress after a catastrophic 2020 campaign.

“It was a good race and a positive weekend and we took a good step forward from last season, remember Charles Leclerc, sixth yesterday in Bahrain. We are still not where we want to be, so we have to keep working and pushing very hard to improve in the races to come. »

Discover the full report and analysis of the Bahrain Grand Prix, produced by our special correspondent in Sakhir, in issue 2305 of AUTOhebdo, available this evening in digital version and this Wednesday on newsstands.