The two-time champion has been left without a position for the upcoming 2025 season. Carlos Sainz (via IMAGO). It was recently revealed that Sainz would be departing from his current team after this season concludes. The Spanish driver is determined to make the most of his final season with the red team and is fully committed to the challenge. Following the completion of pre-season testing, Sainz expressed his thoughts on the SF-24 and its potential to compete against other teams.
Following the testing in Bahrain, a rough hierarchy had emerged within the paddock. Experts believed that the reigning champions were still leading the pack, followed by a group consisting of several other teams. It was also widely believed that the Scuderia was the best of the rest and the closest competitor to the Austrian constructor. Sainz, however, shared his expectations regarding the SF-24’s ability to outperform the RB20 in a recent interview.
“The SF-24 gave us a much more positive experience compared to the SF-23. Will it be enough to beat Red Bull? Honestly, I don’t think so. We will have to wait for the first race to find out. I believe Red Bull will have a slight advantage, as their times on the C3 tire indicate,” Sainz stated.
The 29-year-old acknowledges that the car is in a much better position than it was a year ago. However, he dismisses the idea that they can match the performance of the Red Bulls, as they have a significant lead. Even during testing, Ferrari had the fastest times, but Red Bull was right behind them using a harder compound of tires. Additionally, the fuel loads were unknown to everyone, adding to the speculation that Red Bull might be faster.
Throughout his time with the Maranello team, Sainz has consistently put up a strong fight against his competitors. However, with his announcement to leave the team at the end of the season, the Spaniard has set clear goals for himself that he aims to achieve this year.
Sainz explained that his main priority is to start the year on a positive note, building on the success he had in the 2023 season. The 29-year-old focused on understanding the intricacies of the car during testing in order to establish a strong connection between himself and the machinery.
Furthermore, Sainz is now preparing for the season opener in Bahrain and is determined to make the most of it in order to attract interest from other teams for the 2025 season.