Sainz does not believe in absolutes: ‘Max’s not going to win every weekend'

"I don't fully believe Max is going to win every weekend. I know you guys see it in a very drastic, dramatic way. Obviously, I know what my chances or my probabilities are, but there's still a probability that Ferrari can win a race this season and that I can be there to win it," Sainz began at Zandvoort.

He continued: "Hopefully, at some point during the season, Red Bull make a mistake. I go into every weekend thinking I need to be there to grab it. That's my mentality. That's my focus, trying to be there for any given opportunity because even in the most dominant years of Mercedes, of Red Bull, of Ferrari, there was always one race where you could make a difference or something could happen."

Sainz loves the challenge

The Spaniard also said that while Red Bull might be dominant at the moment, they still have the opportunity to fight, which should be a driver’s mindset. "As a driver, you live, especially in these kind of years, you live a bit on that motivation or on that thinking. If not, I have plenty of motivation to fight for podiums, to fight for top fives. I love Formula 1. I love going to race every weekend with Ferrari. I love having the opportunity to also develop this year's car, give the feedback and see the impact that I can have on next year's car. This is also what a driver lives for. I love that challenge."

'Red Bull have earned their advantage'

Sainz believes Red Bull have worked hard for what they have achieved, and they deserve every single bit of their success at the moment. "I try to put myself in the position of others when I'm doing this or analysing these questions. And I say if my team had done what Red Bull have done and I am doing the job that Max is doing, I wouldn't like Formula 1 to change anything because I think they deserve to be in the position they're in. And they've simply done an incredible job with this year's car. Max is driving at a very high level."

"They deserve to have the success they're having because it's an equal opportunity for everyone. And they're beating us and they are dominating everyone in a fair and square way. So nothing to say other than congratulations and keep enjoying. We will try to get better as soon as possible," the Ferrari driver concluded.