Why Sainz doesn't expect Ferrari to win the Constructors this year
F1 News
Carlos Sainz secured another podium for the 2024 season, after finishing third in Monaco on Sunday. As the gap between Red Bull and Ferrari begins to close, with only 24 points between them, the battle for the championship is on. However, the Spaniard isn't certain that Ferrari have what it takes to win this season.
Following a double Ferrari podium on Sunday, Sainz was asked in the press conference whether Ferrari have what it takes to win the championship. For Sainz, he is still certain one team are still favourites will win: "I think my common sense tells me that on normal tracks Red Bull should still be favourites. Domination, like we were seeing, hopefully not. But favourites, yes."
With the Spaniard having confidence in Red Bull winning, he thinks their battle will be with another team: "It will be a very tight fight with both McLaren and us. I think we are all three at a very similar level. Our last reference of a normal track is Imola and Miami. And if I see those two tracks, we seem to be half a tenth behind McLaren and maybe a tenth or two behind Red Bull," he said.
'The strengths of Ferrari'
Nevertheless, with both Red Bull's failing to make it onto the podium last weekend, Sainz does have some optimism: "Any small progress, any small upgrade, any small thing that we bring to the car might switch it to a potential race victory or a winning car. Monaco, we've always been strong. Street circuits like Singapore and last year in Monaco, it shows the strengths of the Ferrari."
"At the same time, being within 24 points of the Red Bull in the Constructors, you see that when you put them under pressure yesterday, Max did a mistake in Q3 run two, Checo was out in Q1. We all just need to be there, you know, to show that these things can happen to Red Bull too. And yesterday is the best example," he added.