Sainz, 119 laps at Fiorano on the Ferrari SF21 - VIDEO

One hundred nineteen laps, 354 km. This, in numbers, is Carlos’ day Sainz to Fiorano. A cold, wintry morning, nonetheless important for the Spanish rider, who took to the track for the first time this season with a test session on the Modena circuit owned by the Ferrari.

During the morning Smooth Operator he lapped less than expected due to the rain, but he was thus able to test the wet tyres ‘demo’ for 26 laps. In the afternoon, the Spaniard put together 93 laps on slicks, covering more than one GP and carrying out numerous set-up, operational and starting tests, both on wet and dry surfaces, to regain sensitivity and “hand” at the wheel.

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Yesterday was Robert’s turn Schwartzman (87 laps), tomorrow it will be Charles’ turn Leclerc to conclude the triptych of tests. The Monegasque, like the other two riders, will also drive the SF21. It should be remembered that – according to the regulations – cars from the last two years, including the current one, cannot be deployed in private tests. The so-called “previous car”, which for the 2023 season will be the cars updated to a maximum of 2021, are not in fact subject to regulatory constraints, and moreover it is a concept of car superseded by the technical regulation introduced at the beginning of last season.

Sainz therefore had to make the most of today’s 119 laps, even if carried out on an older model, both to regain sensations behind the wheel and to regain the feeling with all track conditions. In short, for number 55 it was an “operative” part of the preparation in view of the actual tests that will take place on the Sakhir circuit from 23 to 25 February. On this occasion, each driver will have 12 hours (three sessions) to familiarize himself as much as possible with the new car. Then it will already be race time, again in Bahrain, on March 5th.