Carlos Sainz Sr. had the opportunity to comment to the Spanish media on his recent experience at Fiorano with his son, driving the Ferrari, as well as his impressions of Sainz Jr.’s debut with Williams at Yas Marina.
Carlos Sainz’s official farewell to Scuderia Ferrari took place on December 17, marking the end of a chapter with the team where the Spanish driver closed his stint by delivering one of the most exciting seasons of his career. He secured two wins, nine podiums, and one pole position in Mexico City, finishing 5th in the Drivers’ Championship with a total of 290 points.
Just over ten days ago, on the Fiorano circuit – with Fred Vasseur and Charles Leclerc among the spectators – Sainz, accompanied by his father Carlos Sainz Sr., closed the circle with one final lap in the F1-75, the car with which he achieved his first-ever pole position and first win for Ferrari at the legendary Silverstone circuit.
“My experience in single-seaters is zero,” Sainz Sr. said about his time behind the wheel of the Ferrari during an interview with Spanish newspaper Marca. “I’ve hardly ever raced. That’s why I had so much fun. But most importantly, it was a farewell act for Carlos. As a father, I focus more on the affection I felt during that moment than on the act itself “.
From his second-place finish in Abu Dhabi to the final round on the Modena track, Carlos Sainz made his way to the end-of-season tests at Yas Marina, where he debuted behind the wheel of the FW46 in early December. On that occasion, the Madrid-born driver finished the session in second place, just behind his former teammate Charles Leclerc. It was, therefore, a first and immediate introduction to the Williams cars, with the Spaniard set to race alongside Alex Albon in the upcoming season.
“Carlos’ debut with Williams was positive. From the outside, I was very surprised by how fast he was. The approach was fine, but we all know that tests are not very indicative. They are what they are, and we’ll need to wait for the start of the season to get a clear picture. The car will be different, after all. We’ll see ,” said Carlos Sainz Sr., father of the former Ferrari driver and rally legend, speaking to Marca. He refrained from making any strong predictions about his son’s performance in the upcoming F1 season, which kicks off in Australia next March.
Photo: Formula 1.