F1 News: Carlos Sainz -"It Can't Get Tougher Than What It Was Today"
Carlos Sainz clinched a P3 finish at the Italian Grand Prix after a spirited defense against both Red Bulls and teammate Charles Leclerc. Despite tyre challenges, Sainz hailed the race as a significant improvement for Ferrari.
Amidst the thrilling chases of the Italian Grand Prix, Carlos Sainz emerged as a beacon of resilience and talent for The Scuderia. Seizing the pole position at the legendary Autodromo Nazionale Monza, Sainz became the subject of fervent support from the Tifosi, Ferrari's passionate fans, as they avidly cheered for the Spanish racing driver.
Ferrari Press Image
The race began with Sainz asserting his dominance, managing to fend off the race's eventual victor, Max Verstappen, in the early stages.
Nonetheless, as the Grand Prix progressed, the sheer power and performance of the Red Bull duoand their RB19s became evident. They adeptly navigated the track, eventually surpassing the SF23 driven by Sainz.
Reflecting on the intense competition, Sainz remarked:
"Very tough, it can't get tougher than what it was today. I was pushing the whole race very hard to keep the Red Bulls behind. That made me use the rear tyres a lot, and in the end, I paid the price, but I did everything I could to defend the tyres."
But the challenge for Sainz didn't stop there. As the race neared its conclusion, his Ferrari teammate, Charles Leclerc, turned up the heat, launching a bid for the third spot on the podium. Interestingly, Ferrari's Team Principal, Fred Vasseur, decided against imposing team orders, giving both racers the green light to battle it out. This decision set the stage for a nail-biting climax, with Sainz ultimately fending off Leclerc's challenge.
Commenting on his duel with Leclerc, Sainz said:
"Hard racing [with Leclerc], it is a pleasure to race him when we get the chance. He is a great racer, the same as Max and Checo. We had fun out there today."
Carlos concluded by underlining Ferrari's aspirations, stating:
"I think we need to keep working on our pace and tyre understanding. We were wearing them a bit more. But it is a big step forward compared to Zandvoort, and we've been the best of the rest this weekend, which is a good result given the circumstances."