Sainz keeps courage: 'With our mentality we can and will improve'

'Disappointing' probably best describes Ferrari's start to the season. After initially battling Red Bull for the title last year, the Italian team has been pushed back to fourth place among constructors this season. Charles Leclerc stands ingloriously tenth after three races with just six points. A fight for the world title seems unthinkable this season, yet Sainz thinks that should remain Ferrari's intended goal.

"Yes, I think we can't get that out of our minds," stressed the Spaniard. "Even after a difficult start to the season, Ferrari's objective still has to be to win. We have everything in the factory working to try to bring improvements. The car at the beginning of the year has not fulfilled the expectations we all had, which was to fight to win races from the beginning and to fight for the world championship. At the moment Red Bull is running away, they are way ahead. But we don't lose hope or desire and with that mentality, we can and will improve."

Sainz remains hopeful of second win

"In terms of feeling with the car and the first races I have been more comfortable than last year," continued Sainz, who won his first race at Silverstone last season. "I'm having better races than last year, but in the end, Formula 1 depends a lot on the machine. This year it looks like Red Bull is dominating, Aston Martin is also a step ahead, and then Mercedes and we are there trying to improve what we have to see if we can get back on the podium and win. That second win I think could come at any moment, but it's also true that we're a little bit short. We need Red Bull to fail and we need to take a small step to also beat Aston Martin and Mercedes."