Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz has backed his best friend and ex-teammate Lando Norris to be very fast at Baku.
Former McLaren teammates Sainz and Norris shared the podium at Monaco, with Sainz in P2 and Norris one spot below. Before the race had begun, Norris backed Sainz to drop a masterclass, and that is exactly what he did. He came second behind Max Verstappen, and was very fast all race.
With Mercedes and Red Bull locked in battle for the championship, McLaren and Ferrari are contesting the fight for third place. Two points separate the two teams, so there cannot be any slips.
In Monaco, the Prancing Horse was the faster constructor. However, Sainz has backed McLaren to have more pace this weekend at Baku. The Spaniard noted that McLaren’s Mercedes-sponsored engine will aid Norris on the straights.
“He has a rocket on the straights,” Sainz said. “I think in Baku, we won’t be the best on that long straight, but if we can make up time on the tight stretch, we should be fine.
“I think the one who should be excited about Baku right now is my friend Lando Norris, because the car is definitely not bad. He was not bad at Monza last year, not bad at Monaco. So maybe I’ll bet on him,” Sainz suggested.
Sainz and Norris’ bromance
Sainz also commented on Norris backing him to deliver at Monte Carlo. “You know, he put pressure on me before going into the Monaco weekend and said I might have a chance to win. He was right of course, now let’s see if I’m right about Baku,” he concluded.
F1 heads to Baku, Azerbaijan for the weekend. It will be a race that has the potential to decide a lot of standings and decisions. You can bet McLaren and Ferrari will look to put on a show, as will Norris and Sainz.
Read more: “Doesn’t taste as good”: Sainz admits to having mixed feelings following podium finish