Carlos Sainz believes that Ferrari is “closer than anticipated” to Red Bull at Formula 1’s Japanese Grand Prix but admits the reigning champions will be “difficult to beat.”
Ferrari has emerged as Red Bull’s closest challenger in the nascent stages of 2024, with Sainz capitalising on Max Verstappen retiring to front a Ferrari 1-2 in Australia.
However, the high-speed Suzuka venue, where Verstappen converted pole position into a 19-second winning margin last term, was expected to suit Red Bull’s RB20 car.
Although the Dutchman fronted a Red Bull lockout at the top of the timesheets in FP1, Sainz ended up two-tenths behind the pacesetting time in third position for Ferrari.
“In FP1 we were perhaps closer to Red Bull than I had anticipated or expected, so, positive signs in terms of the progress made from five months ago to now,” Sainz said.
“Still, though, in FP1 you don’t know what fuel loads and engine modes they are running but last year we were 0.8s off in qualifying and now being just 0.2s off is a good feeling.
“A good starting base, but they’re going to be difficult to beat this weekend.”
Sainz predicts that Ferrari will be in close competition across this weekend with McLaren, who topped a rain-impacted FP2 session through Oscar Piastri, and Mercedes.
Asked whether he predicts Ferrari to be in the mix, Sainz added: “Yes, it looks tight with the McLaren and Mercedes, with Red Bull a little step ahead.
“But maybe a smallest step ahead than I had thought, so it should be an interesting fight out there.”
Sainz denied that his win in Melbourne has boosted his confidence, citing that Ferrari’s more benign SF-24 car had enabled him to push since the start of the campaign.
“Not very different [compared to before]. I was confident in Bahrain, confident in Jeddah, confident in Australia and hit the ground running this morning,” he contended.
“We did a good winter test, we understood the car well, we found a basic set-up that, more or less, seems to work everywhere. Also, you know, the car is just better this year, which helps.”
