Carlos Sainz Jr of Spain, driving for Ferrari, celebrated his third-place finish on the podium at the Japanese Grand Prix. The race took place on April 7, 2024, as part of the Formula 1 World Championship.
During the Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix, Carlos Sainz acknowledged that winning was an unrealistic goal. However, he expressed satisfaction with securing another podium finish at Suzuka.
After taking advantage of Max Verstappen’s retirement in Australia to lead a Ferrari 1-2, Sainz’s hopes were dashed in Japan as Red Bull dominated and earned maximum points.
Finishing 20.866 seconds behind Verstappen and more than eight seconds behind Sergio Perez, Sainz’s performance highlighted the gap between Ferrari and the reigning champions.
Although Sainz believed that his race pace was stronger than his qualifying performance, he acknowledged that it was still not enough to contend for a victory.
Given the exceptional race pace of Red Bull, Sainz deemed it nearly impossible to envision a win. Nevertheless, he remained hopeful of securing a podium finish, which he ultimately achieved despite the challenges and strategic nature of the race.
Sainz made a remarkable comeback in the final stint of the race, moving up from seventh place to finish in third. This impressive performance was made possible by his strategic pit stop and the use of different tires, allowing him to catch up to the cars ahead at a rapid pace.
According to Sainz, the track conditions played a significant role in his success. The transition from a sunny track to a cloudy one caused a significant decrease in tire degradation, allowing him to push harder and make up lost ground. This unexpected change in circumstances completely altered the race dynamics.
Initially, Sainz doubted the possibility of reaching the podium. However, with the introduction of new hard tires, his pace improved significantly, ultimately securing him a place on the podium. This achievement highlights the progress Ferrari has made in terms of race pace compared to the previous season.
Sainz believes that the team’s third and fourth-place finishes in Japan demonstrate their improvement in the areas they aimed to enhance. Although they are still not as strong as Red Bull, Sainz remains optimistic that future upgrades will bring them closer to their target. The team’s overall improvement, particularly in race pace, has provided them with more strategic options, allowing Sainz to focus on moving forward and overtaking his opponents.
In conclusion, Sainz is pleased with the team’s progress and the increased enjoyment he experiences while racing. The remarkable comeback in Japan showcases their ability to adapt and make strategic decisions, which was not always possible in the previous season.