F1 | Ferrari, Sainz on the Spanish GP: "Tough circuit, I can't wait to go around with this car"

Formula 1 returns to compete in Europe with the Spanish Grand Prix, the sixth round of the 2022 Formula 1 World Championship, which will be held over the weekend on the Barcelona track. An important appointment for Carlos Sainz, who will see the current Ferrari standard bearer take to the track on his home circuit. The Spaniard himself was the protagonist of the Ferrari preview of the Montmeló round, with Sainz answering some questions.

Your home race track is well known by all the drivers as it is the traditional site of many winter tests. What are its features and what is your favorite part?
"Barcelona-Catalunya is a track that any driver remembers by heart but I think it is also one of those that everyone likes. It is characterized by a mix of high, medium and low speed corners which makes it challenging to find the right balance to extract maximum performance from the car for the entire lap. The corners I like the most are 3 and 9: 3 is a long bend to the right in which we are subjected to very intense G-force from start to finish, while 9 is a high-speed uphill corner that , at least in qualifying, it will be possible to tackle in full acceleration. This circuit is really tough and I can't wait to be able to go around it with this car in ideal conditions after the tests carried out at the tests".

You arrive in Spain after having played your best qualifying, in Miami, and with the ninth podium of your career achieved. What result are you aiming for for the Spanish Grand Prix?
"The result is the same as every race: extracting the maximum potential from our car and, perhaps, fighting to win the Grand Prix. Of course, the fact that it is my home match makes it more special for all the fans who will come to watch it in the stands, but in terms of objective this remains a match like any other, in which I try to give my best".

This race also returns to have a full audience, and there is also the return of the "Grada CS55". What do you expect from the fans and what do you feel like promising them?
"After two years with very few or no fans on the circuit, I am delighted that this season there is a full house in every grandstand. Having been able to organize the "Grada CS55" again is a great satisfaction for me: it has now become a tradition and allows me to get a little more in touch with those who support me. Having said that, I am sure that the support for Ferrari and for us drivers will be enormous on any grandstand and I can guarantee right now that the team and I will do everything we can to give them something to cheer about. Let's hope for a great race weekend in Spain and with happy fans in every corner of the track".