F1 | Work ethic, synergy with the team, consistency: dear Ferrari, Sainz is the best gift of 2021

It was a surprise. Or maybe not. When he was announced as a future Ferrari driver, we are talking about May 2020, few believed that Carlos Sainz could have acquired such an important status in the eyes of Ferrari fans and more generally of Formula 1 enthusiasts. In fact, the Spaniard, called by Maranello to replacing Sebastian Vettel, was without a shadow of a doubt in general one of the best notes of 2021 but above all of the Maranello team which found itself at home with an absolutely valid driver who immediately made an excellent impression. But above all a driver who has practically not paid the price of changing single-seaters.

Honestly, it wasn't easy to take on a legacy as heavy as that of Vettel, who despite being separated at home for the last year was (and still is) the last driver capable of bringing the Rossa to success in a GP and who boasts a very rich curriculum , but Sainz silently and step by step took over the Ferrari, showing the company's specialties: work ethic, immediate synergy with the new team and consistency in the race pace which made the difference in numerous weekends. The last of which, precisely in Abu Dhabi, where he gave himself a podium placing, concluding a more than positive 2021 in the best possible way. A performance that will soon lead CS55 to deservedly sign, as also admitted by TP Mattia Binotto, on the contract renewal.

The writer had immediately underlined how Sainz would not have been a second driver regardless, an accommodating driver, but one who would have fully exploited the chances of a prestigious call like that of Ferrari. Despite an unfortunate Red team, and currently far from the objectives he should aspire to due to history, coat of arms and tradition, Sainz responded by taking full advantage of the opportunities that arose along the way. It is no coincidence that he finished at the top of the "others' World Championship", finishing behind the titans Verstappen-Hamilton who played for the title and their respective teammates, taking away the luxury of finishing ahead of teammate Charles Leclerc.

The Monegasque, as indicated by Mattia Binotto himself a few weeks ago, is the ace, he is the spearhead, on which Ferrari is banking to return to writing its name in the roll of honor but this year he has made more mistakes and Sainz's carelessness (first and foremost that of Monte Carlo, who anticipated the superficiality subsequently shown by the garage in not carrying out an X-ray of the SF21 number 16, depriving him of an almost certain victory) which in the long run made the difference. The final ranking is cassation. It leaves no room for doubt. As well as the number of podium finishes: 4 to 1 for the Spaniard.

And perhaps it is no coincidence, one would say not, that Sainz's consistency and performance also made the difference between Ferrari and McLaren in the Constructors' World Championship where Maranello managed to overtake Woking by finishing third. Ferrari was able to benefit from both drivers throughout the season, unlike McLaren who had to deal with Daniel Ricciardo's failure to adapt to the MCL35M. Despite the Australian bringing the talent, the only Orange success of the season was achieved in Monza.

2021 has therefore given, being on the Christmas theme, a nice gift to Ferrari and we hope that Maranello can reciprocate with Sainz (but also with Leclerc himself clearly) already in the next few months by providing him with a competitive single-seater. The table is set but the main course is still missing. Because, once again it is fair to reiterate, Ferrari's problem is certainly not the drivers. On the contrary…

Piero Ladisa

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