F1 | Ferrari, Sainz: “The last season gave me 100% confidence. There is a lot of positivity for 2022"

Carlos Sainz is undoubtedly one of the promoted drivers of the 2021 season, where the Spaniard stood out by once again showing that consistency in the race that made the difference. The Ferrari standard bearer, who arrived in Maranello from McLaren to replace Sebastian Vettel, concluded the championship obtaining fifth place in the World Championship, preceding, among other things, his teammate Charles Leclerc.

Sainz said he was clearly satisfied with his debut season in red, labeling it among the best played in Formula 1, and is enthusiastically looking forward to the next one characterized by the change in regulations.

"Did he trust me? Yes, 100% – declared Sainz, quoted by Formula1.com – Above all, the second part of the season gave me the right confidence with the car, the right confidence with the team, to be ready for what will happen next year. This, combined with the amount of hard work we are putting into the 2022 project, has put me in the right mindset. I had a lot of fun. I think it was one of my best seasons in terms of enjoyment in Formula 1. It was quite frenetic, a lot of races but also a lot of good moments. I managed to have fun and at the same time I managed to improve myself over the year".

Sainz, continuing to discuss the recent past and the near future, added: “I feel like I ended the season a lot stronger than I started it, so there's that important progression within the team. I also saw changes within the team that went in the right direction. So honestly, the feeling for 2022 is very positive and I think we're on to some good momentum. It was quite easy for me to keep reminding myself that I am fulfilling a dream: to drive for the best team in Formula 1 and the most historic team in Formula 1. Driving for Ferrari has been a dream come true since I was lad".

The Spaniard doesn't hide and aims high: “I go into the weekend always enthusiastic, always with energy, always trying to learn, trying to improve, to make sure that the chance to fight for the World Championship with Ferrari arrives and that I am as prepared and as ready as possible. 2021 has allowed me to take another small step as a driver and has me finishing the season on a high and now ready for whatever happens in 2022".