MADRID, 13 Feb. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Spanish driver Carlos Sainz has indicated that “there are very attractive options for the future” away from the Ferrari team, from which he will leave when the Formula 1 World Championship in 2024 ends, as the signing of the British Lewis Hamilton for the brand of the 'Prancing Horse'.
The sports streaming platform DAZN has interviewed Sainz days after confirming his goodbye to the Italian team. “It has been a preseason and some strange days,” said the man from Madrid after the official presentation this Tuesday of the new SF-24 car.
Despite everything, he has been motivated: “There are very attractive options for the future. Ferrari is an emblematic team and one where I have enjoyed a lot all these years. Once you are a Ferrari driver, you are a Ferrari driver forever. I will leave at the end of the year. with that benefit of having been a Ferrari driver, having won races and pole positions, with a good feeling and knowing that I have done my homework,” he added.
“There is still a year left to demonstrate and do things well, but I am quite happy with my time here at Ferrari. I want to finish it as best as possible and see what the future holds for me,” he commented before admitting that the announcement about Hamilton surprised.
“Just as no one in the world of Formula 1 expected it, neither did I expect it. It is no secret that it has been a surprise for everyone. It is true that I was able to find out a little in advance and prepare myself both emotionally and psychologically for what I knew was going to be announced. These are things of life, it is a door that closes for many others that are going to open, so looking forward to seeing what the future holds,” the Madrid driver insisted.
Sainz has also sent a message of calm to the fans, from whom he has felt their affection. “Don't worry about me, I'm perfectly fine and with enormous desire and motivation for this season and for what may come in the future of my career. There is a lot left to enjoy this year, everyone in red. Let's go for it,” he stated. .
He then said that the presentation of the SF-24 is key to putting an end to distractions: “Once the car is presented, my mind can't stop thinking about how the car and the first race are going to go. I'm looking forward to getting helmet and give it my all. Let's see if that moment comes and we can just focus on getting the most out of the car.”
Finally, he has assessed his new preparation for 2024. “It has been a shorter preseason than usual, but I have recharged my batteries well. I have changed the way of training quite a bit. New coach, new training set-up and physiologist, waiting for changes to arrive as prepared as possible,” stated Sainz.