Carlos Sainz has admitted Ferrari’s recent upturn in competitiveness provides a “bittersweet” feeling as he prepares to exit the team once this Formula 1 season ends.
Sainz was imperious as he stormed to pole position at this weekend’s Mexico City Grand Prix with two laps in Q3 that would have been enough to secure the top spot.
The Spaniard ended up over two-tenths quicker than closest challenger Max Verstappen in the Red Bull and another tenth ahead of Ferrari team-mate Charles Leclerc.
Sainz clinching his first pole position since this term maintains the recent momentum which saw Sainz back up race winner Leclerc in the United States last weekend.
Ferrari’s second 1-2 this season in Austin rekindled its prospects in the Constructors’ Championship as it is now 48 points behind McLaren with five events remaining.
However, Sainz, who has been with Ferrari since 2021, has conceded that the side’s improvement leaves him with mixed emotions as Lewis Hamilton will replace him.
When asked how sweet it was that he was hitting his stride as he counts down the races with Ferrari, Sainz told media including Motorsport Week: “Very sweet.
“Given how good the car is, how well I’m driving recently, you know, it’s obviously optimistic going into the last five races.
“At the same time, bittersweet because it gives me a feeling Ferrari might be in the fight for the World Championship next year and I will not be there to use it.
“And I feel like I’ve been quite a big part of this team during the last four years trying to prepare the team to fight for that championship next year.
“The fact that I’m driving well, being fast with the car and I’m living in five races is definitely leaves me a bit… I don’t know how to say it, but not with a very good feeling.
“But it’s what it is. I’m going to try and, as I’ve said, win more races, stand on the podium for as long as I can during these five races and enjoy that. And then we will think about next year.”
Sainz determined to convert pole
Sainz is aiming to end his Ferrari chapter on a high with one more win, but he will have to manage the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez’s extended run down to Turn 1.
But although he will have title contenders Verstappen and Lando Norris tucked up right behind him, the Williams-bound racer has denied that will impact his approach.
“Honestly, the start I will just do everything I can to stay in P1 because also around Mexico that’s really important for the cooling of the car, for the tyres and everything,” he said.
“So I’ll do everything I can. But I say my focus is on the 0 to 100 and on the launch.
“Then everything else happening from then onwards… It depends, also, on how good my rivals start and all the instinctive decisions that we all take in the start.
“I’ll trust my instincts and obviously with the intention of getting out of that corner P1 for sure”
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