Scuderia Ferrari Spanish driver Carlos Sainz has highlighted his “high precedence” for the upcoming Las Vegas GP: steering away from any points attributable to unfastened drain covers, an issue that abruptly ended his participation in free follow throughout final yr’s inaugural occasion.
The 2023 Las Vegas Grand Prix noticed a dramatic and extremely controversial begin when Carlos Sainz’s Ferrari SF-23 struck a unfastened drain cowl simply eight minutes into the primary free follow session. The incident wreaked havoc on the automobile’s ground, resulting in a pink flag and setting an ominous tone for the weekend.
The fallout prolonged past the observe, sparking outrage within the paddock and amongst followers who needed to depart the stands earlier than the second follow session might start. Ferrari, in the meantime, confronted a major restore invoice for damages attributable to one thing fully outdoors their management.
Now, because the occasion returns for its second version, Carlos Sainz stays clear about his essential want: a weekend freed from any such unexpected drama. Reflecting on the chaos of final yr, he confused the significance of avoiding a repeat, each for the sake of the drivers’ security and the integrity of the occasion: “That’s my primary hope for certain, after what occurred final yr,” Carlos Sainz defined within the press convention for the Las Vegas GP. “I hope that the whole lot’s fastened this yr, as a result of I believe will probably be so much higher for the race and for everybody and clearly for all of the drivers for security.”
Final yr, Carlos Sainz confronted a double setback when the unexpected injury to his Ferrari compelled him to make use of components past his allocation, relegating him to a disappointing twelfth place on the grid. Though he fought again throughout the race and completed in sixth, it was a small comfort for a Ferrari group left annoyed by the flip of occasions. As he heads into this weekend, the Spaniard is set to keep away from a repeat of that chaotic expertise.
Now, as he approaches his third-to-last race with Ferrari, the Spaniard is hoping for a a lot smoother weekend. Nonetheless, he’s absolutely conscious that the extreme Nevada warmth will pose its personal set of challenges, making it clear that he have to be ready for one more demanding race at the 6.2-kilometre Las Vegas Strip Circuit in Nevada, USA: “Trying ahead to it. Chilly weekend and totally different observe than what we’re used to. Low downforce, low grip. So you’ve got loads of totally different variables that we’re usually not used to, and loads of challenges forward, like they have been final yr.” – the Ferrari driver identified.
Waiting for his last races with Ferrari, Carlos Sainz has made it clear that his main goal is to assist safe the Constructors’ Championship for the group. Whereas he continues to give attention to delivering sturdy performances, his final goal is to contribute to a profitable marketing campaign that sees Ferrari clinch the coveted title, marking a becoming conclusion to his time with the Scuderia: “100% I imagine we are able to do it and it’s inside attain,” Carlos Sainz mentioned. “I believe we’re within the combine. On the identical time, McLaren have an excellent buffer to play with and two very sturdy drivers to get factors each weekend and particularly they’ve three tracks coming the place there’s no purpose why they couldn’t be additionally the quickest automobile.” – he defined.
“So to beat them can be extraordinarily robust, however an incredible problem to have forward and one thing that makes me excited additionally as a result of if we handle to get it on the finish of the yr, and handle to log off the season with that championship, could be an effective way to place an finish to this cycle in Ferrari for me, and one thing that I’d be extraordinarily pleased with and the right ending.” – the long run Williams driver concluded.
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