With Sebastian Vettel no longer deemed a worthy candidate for its seat, Ferrari has employed the service of Carlos Sainz. He will make up the two Ferrari seats alongside Charles Leclerc.
They will be offered the same sort of treatment too, with no preference or bias according to Marc Gene. However, Leclerc’s three years at the team will be of help to him.
Gene has considerable knowledge about Ferrari and believes a certain level of goodwill will work in Leclerc’s favour.
His performance last year and the potential he is believed to have will mean Ferrari will favour him, Gene believes.
Ferrari had a rather woeful 2020 season and both drivers will know that although some improvements can be expected this year, they face an uphill task.
“Leclerc starts as a favourite because he knows the team much more,” Gene told Soymotor.
“I can guarantee you that there is no number one and number two because it doesn’t make any sense. We know internally and Carlos also that Leclerc has an advantage from the start.
“From here, I am very sure that Carlos this year is going to be in front of Leclerc on some occasions. I expect this more from the second half of the season.
“The cars are both the same. They will always know what settings the partner has and can ask for exactly the same.”
Gene said the driver’s individual styles come into play here.
“Normally, it does not work for you because you have slightly different driving than your partner. And if one has a speed higher tip, that would not have to happen.
“An engine may have one or two more horses, but you should not see a difference in speed in the telemetry.”
Sainz, meanwhile, was upbeat following pre-season testing in Bahrain. It was his first formal appearance for Ferrari.
Those eyes ??#essereFerrari ? #F1Testing pic.twitter.com/iG9Hvci3SI
— Scuderia Ferrari (@ScuderiaFerrari) March 12, 2021
“Finally, the day has come where I actually get the car that I’m going to race with,” he said.
“It’s been a positive day in terms of adapting to the car and feeling comfortable in the seat and with the switches there’s been a lot of preparation in the winter and today.”
We are just weeks away from the opening race, the race will take place on the same track on March 28.
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