Scuderia Ferrari Spanish driver Carlos Sainz has highlighted his “high precedence” for the upcoming Las Vegas GP: steering away from any points brought on by free drain covers, an issue that abruptly ended his participation in free apply throughout final 12 months’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 free drain cowl simply eight minutes into the primary free apply session. The incident wreaked havoc on the automobile’s flooring, 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 apply session might start. Ferrari, in the meantime, confronted a big restore invoice for damages brought on by one thing solely exterior their management.
Now, because the occasion returns for its second version, Carlos Sainz stays clear about his foremost want: a weekend freed from any such unexpected drama. Reflecting on the chaos of final 12 months, he pressured 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 positive, after what occurred final 12 months,” Carlos Sainz defined within the press convention for the Las Vegas GP. “I hope that all the pieces’s mounted this 12 months, as a result of I feel it is going to be quite a bit higher for the race and for everybody and clearly for all of the drivers for security.”
Final 12 months, Carlos Sainz confronted a double setback when the unexpected harm to his Ferrari compelled him to make use of elements past his allocation, relegating him to a disappointing twelfth place on the grid. Though he fought again in the course of the race and completed in sixth, it was a small comfort for a Ferrari workforce left pissed off by the flip of occasions. As he heads into this weekend, the Spaniard is decided 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 extraordinary Nevada warmth will pose its personal set of challenges, making it clear that he have to be ready for yet one more demanding race at the 6.2-kilometre Las Vegas Strip Circuit in Nevada, USA: “Wanting ahead to it. Chilly weekend and completely different observe than what we’re used to. Low downforce, low grip. So you’ve quite a lot of completely different variables that we’re usually not used to, and quite a lot of challenges forward, like they have been final 12 months.” – the Ferrari driver identified.
Looking forward to his ultimate races with Ferrari, Carlos Sainz has made it clear that his main goal is to assist safe the Constructors’ Championship for the workforce. Whereas he continues to deal with 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 consider we are able to do it and it’s inside attain,” Carlos Sainz mentioned. “I feel we’re within the combine. On the similar 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 will probably be extraordinarily powerful, however an ideal 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 12 months, and handle to log out the season with that championship, can be a good way to place an finish to this cycle in Ferrari for me, and one thing that I might be extraordinarily happy with and the right ending.” – the long run Williams driver concluded.
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