New Ferrari recruit Carlos Sainz has admitted that he always wanted to drive for the Maranello outfit. At the same time, he appreciated the experience he had at McLaren, claiming it is like no other team on the grid.
Sainz claimed that McLaren gave him a distinct family-like feeling. He spoke about how his integration has been at Ferrari has been since then.
“I was very shocked by the Tifosi in Fiorano. People climbed on the fences just to see my installation lap in Fiorano … That shocked me,” he said.
“I said: ‘the number of times the Tifosi will have climbed that fence, the number of times they will have come here to see Schumacher test the car.
“Now they are climbing there to see me and that feeling of saying, ‘This only happens at Ferrari’.
“There is no other team that has a circuit in a town and that town goes there to see the car roll.
“A track in its town and a track in its factory. And the factory and the track are the center of the town. That is unique.”
Sainz’ arrival at Ferrari does not mark the only Spaniard who has made a move in the off-season.
His compatriot Fernando Alonso is set to make a comeback to the sport, having signed a deal with Alpine F1.
Sainz said it is going to be a good time for Spaniards as far as engaging with Formula 1 is concerned.
“I think it is a good time in Spain to continue re-engaging in Formula 1.
“I think we are in a year that I think is going to be quite nice, seeing both me at Ferrari and Fernando back at Alpine, and above all be patient, because 2022 is going to be a year of change.”
Sainz had an extremely positive season last year and was central to McLaren notching its best finish since 2012.
With momentum on his side, do you believe he will make a mark at Ferrari as well?
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