Sainz hopeful of Australia pole battle once he pushes the limits

Carlos Sainz admitted he was relieved to get through the opening two practice sessions for Formula 1’s Australian Grand Prix despite still not being at “100 per cent”.

Sainz was ruled out from participating in the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix a fortnight ago when he was diagnosed with appendicitis and had to undergo an operation.

The Spaniard endeavoured to return to competition in Melbourne and completed 48 laps in total as Ferrari continued its propitious beginning to the 2024 campaign.

Sainz conceded ahead of the weekend that he would step aside in the circumstance where he was unfit, but indications suggest he’ll be able to continue in the SF-24.

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“I feel OK, obviously a bit tired after practice and not being 100 per cent physically,” Sainz reflected. “But I felt like I had a good day, [managed to do] the whole program.

“If you would have told me a week ago that I could have done the whole practice without issues, I would have been very happy. And I’m very happy for that.

“Obviously I need a good night’s sleep, and good recovery for tomorrow. And yeah, I felt good.”

Sainz lagged behind team-mate Charles Leclerc, who wound up fourth in the opening practice hour before going a sizeable four-tenths clear of the competition in FP2.

Max Verstappen’s Red Bull split the two Ferrari drivers, but Sainz is optimistic he can be amongst a potential fight for pole tomorrow once he explores his boundaries.

“Yeah, I think particularly Charles looked very quick today,” he said.

“On my side obviously, I took it step by step and getting it up into a rhythm, not at the limit of the car and not at the limit of myself yet.

“But I think with more laps and getting a bit more confident with how everything feels inside, you know, I think I will be faster tomorrow, and hopefully battle for that pole position together with him against everyone else, because I think it’s going to be tight.

“We saw in FP1, in FP2, I think we did a good step. But yeah. I think quali tomorrow is going to be more like FP1.”