Sainz hesitates to drive historic Formula 1

Carlos Sainz has said he was reluctant to drive historic Formula 1 cars, believing the risk was not worth it and taking inspiration from Charles Leclerc's accident at the historic Monaco Grand Prix.

Published on 12/08/2022 à 15:14

Dorian Grangier

0 View comments)

Sainz hesitates to drive historic Formula 1

Last May, Charles Leclerc had the chance to drive Lauda's Ferrari... before ending up in the wall © ACM

Who said that a pilot Formula 1 was ready to take all the risks? At the house of Carlos Sainz, reason sometimes takes precedence over passion. The Spaniard, pilot Ferrari, could have the chance to drive some of the most legendary cars in the championship since its creation in 1950.

Except that the son of the double world rally champion does not feel particularly delighted to drive his historic machines. “I had the opportunity to [test an old Ferrari] in the past, said the Scuderia pilot. It always gives you a view of how the sport was a long time ago. But I have two opinions on the matter, because why take such a risk? »

“If I get into a historic car, I’m going to push it hard” admits Sainz

Carlos Sainz takes the example of Charles Leclerc to support his point. Last May, during the historic Monaco Grand Prix, the Monegasque, who was then driving Niki Lauda's Ferrari 312 B3, had ended up on the rails at Rascasse after a broken brake. « You are in the middle of a season where you have the chance to win a championship with Ferrari. Why risk finding yourself in a situation like the one that happened to Leclerc?, asks the Spaniard. But at the same time, are you going to have the opportunity to drive these cars anywhere else? Every time I jump into a historic Formula 1 car, I have these things in mind. And if I get in one of these cars, I'm going to push it hard. I don’t know how to drive a car with my elbow to the door…”

The Madrilenian would therefore be torn between the risk of driving old, unpredictable cars and the sensations they can provide. “I can just go up and feel how these cars handle. Every time I go to get in, I want to push the car. And these things [accidents] can happen. » In the meantime, Carlos Sainz can already concentrate on driving his current car, the F1-75, to seek a second victory after the summer break. 

ALSO READ > Verstappen, on the trail of a record season

Dorian Grangier

A young journalist nostalgic for the motorsport of yesteryear. Raised on the exploits of Sébastien Loeb and Fernando Alonso.

0 View comments)

Read also

Comments

*The space reserved for logged in users. Please connect to be able to respond or post a comment!

0 Comment (s)

To write a comment