MADRID, 5 Abr. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Spanish F1 driver Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) acknowledged that they are “closer to Red Bull than I expected”, after finishing two tenths behind the time of the Dutchman Max Verstappen in the first free practice session of the Japanese Grand Prix. fourth round of the World Cup on the Suzuka track, although he insisted that they will be “difficult to beat.”
“Honestly, we are a little closer to Red Bull than I anticipated or expected. Positive signs in terms of the progress made since five months ago – when Formula 1 last raced in Suzuka – until now,” he said. the Madrid native in statements published by F1 on its website about the first two free practice sessions in Japan.
The winner in Australia two weeks ago recalled that “last year they were “eight tenths away in qualifying”, so “being two tenths away in FP1 was a good feeling” and “a good starting point”. “But “They are going to be difficult to beat this weekend,” he lamented, after finishing third, behind the two Red Bulls in the first round, the only dry one this Friday.
“I think it seems tight again with the McLarens, the Mercedes. Red Bull is a step ahead, but a smaller step than I thought, so it will be an interesting fight,” he added about what he expects for this Grand Prix of Japan.
Asked about his current confidence, after learning that he will not continue at Ferrari in 2025 and recovering from appendicitis in Saudi Arabia, he highlighted the importance of the car’s improvement. “When you do a good winter test, we understand the car well, we find a set-up that more or less seems to work everywhere, and also the car is simply better this year, which helps!” he concluded.