F1 | Sainz: “Shanghai? Similar values ​​to Suzuka, not to Melbourne”

It's a strange period that Carlos Sainz is going through. On the track he is having the best time since he raced in Formula 1, but once he takes off his helmet there is that question mark over his future that he is not the best traveling companion.

Sainz is very rational, he knows that it was certainly not his will that determined this state of affairs, and he manages to switch off when he gets into the car, still enjoying the moment. While waiting to know how the driver market will evolve, Carlos on the eve of the Shanghai weekend highlighted the unknowns linked to an atypical weekend, from the format to the track conditions, question marks that make the scenario more confusing than usual.

What is it about this car that seems to suit your driving style so well?
“It's a more stable platform. Last year, during a qualifying lap or during a race, there were problems that we didn't understand where they came from, a situation that took away our confidence. This year, since the winter tests in Bahrain, we have never come across moments like this, so far in every qualifying and every race the car has always been stable, and this allows you to get closer to the limit more often, you have more confidence and consequently more performance”.

After four races you have already reached last year's number of podiums. Are you in the best situation since you arrived in Ferrari and F.1?
“It was certainly the best start to the season since I arrived at Ferrari. Am I at my best? I do not know. It's difficult to answer. Obviously it seems that way seeing the results, but I also gave my best in McLaren, as well as in Toro Rosso. What changes is the single-seater, some seasons you have a better car available than others. This year it seems that we have found a good compromise between qualifying and the race, then… yes, I am driving at an excellent level, at least I think, but I have already done it in Formula 1 at a good level, I would need to retrace all my last nine years to give a precise answer.”

What did you do after the Grand Prix from Japan? Were you able to return to training as before the surgery?
“Yes, I have been cycling for several days with Pogacar, the number one in cycling at the moment. I'm trying to catch up on the training I wasn't able to do in the previous three weeks, but I also did other things. I went to the Monte Carlo tennis tournament, I met Djokovic who I had met at the Ryder Cup in September, I also met Sinner, and it was a great time. I'm a big tennis fan, seeing these champions play live was a great experience.”

Future topic. How is it going?
“My best options are still open, but it will take time for everyone to make their decisions. There has been no progress in the last two weeks, and although this situation does not affect my performance on track, I hope that clarity can be gained as soon as possible”.

Carlos Sainz, Scuderia Ferrari

Photo by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images

What do you expect from this weekend?
“There are many unknowns, the asphalt seems to have been treated in a very particular way and I don't think the FIA ​​and the teams fully understand what has been done, a total resurfacing or a resurfacing of the asphalt. It looks very unique, something we haven't found recently on other circuits, and what's more we will only have one free practice session. Then, if I look at the track layout, I see more Suzuka than Australia, which makes me think that from a performance point of view we should be more on the field values ​​of Japan rather than Melbourne. But I hope I'm wrong.”

A couple of the remaining options on the market offer a potentially competitive single-seater in the short term, others are more long-term projects. How do you evaluate this scenario?
“It depends on what they offer you and the type of project. A driver always looks for the fastest option available, especially considering the shape I'm in, I think if I have the right car I can win races and get on the podium, as I'm proving this year. This is my number one priority, then there are other very interesting medium-term options that I am considering anyway.”

How complicated will tire management be this weekend?
“Graining is very dependent on asphalt, that's why we talked so much about asphalt treatment. Once you take that out of the equation, very long corners put enormous stress on the tire, and we have a lot of that here. We won't have much time to set up the car, so it's all about simulation and FP1, we've got an interesting weekend ahead of us.”

Is there some frustration in seeing that Ferrari is improving and will probably improve further in 2025?
“There are a little mixed feelings about it. This is my fourth year at Ferrari, I spent a lot of time in Maranello trying to help the team, we developed a project together which is now starting to bear fruit. It's something that makes me feel very happy about what we're seeing this year but also a little sad that we won't be able to continue the journey together. I feel like we're doing a good job, everything is taking the right shape, especially in view of the regulatory changes in 2026. But that's life, it wasn't my decision, but I like to think that the future could hold something even better for me ”.