Carlos Sainz Jr, representing Ferrari, showcased an impressive performance in the opening race of the 2024 Formula 1 season, the Bahrain Grand Prix. Sainz expressed his delight in pursuing Sergio Perez’s Red Bull, describing it as a pleasant surprise. Despite Max Verstappen’s dominant victory, Sainz managed to stay within a few seconds of Perez, securing a podium position.
Sainz shared his satisfaction with his performance, stating that he felt great throughout the race. Despite a less-than-ideal start, he effectively managed his tires and overtook several competitors on his way to the podium. He also expressed his surprise at being able to keep up with the Red Bull towards the end of the race, acknowledging the progress made compared to the previous year.
The strategic choice of starting on soft tires and transitioning to two sets of hard compound tires aided Sainz in his pursuit of Perez. He commended the team for executing a clear plan and felt comfortable with the hard Pirelli rubber. Although the tire presented some challenges, once it was properly warmed up, Sainz was able to push the car to its limits.
Looking ahead to the next race in Saudi Arabia, Sainz is hopeful that Ferrari can compete with the high-speed corner experts from Red Bull and McLaren. He acknowledges that it will be a new circuit for everyone and anticipates strong performances from McLaren and Red Bull, given their success in similar circuits last year. However, Sainz is confident in Ferrari’s improvements in high-speed capabilities and believes they can also be strong contenders in Jeddah.