Scuderia Ferrari Spanish driver Carlos Sainz has highlighted his “prime 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 automotive’s flooring, resulting in a purple 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 go away the stands earlier than the second apply session might start. Ferrari, in the meantime, confronted a major restore invoice for damages brought on by 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 12 months, he careworn 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 12 months,” Carlos Sainz defined within the press convention for the Las Vegas GP. “I hope that every thing’s mounted this 12 months, as a result of I feel it is going to be rather a lot 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 injury to his Ferrari pressured him to make use of components past his allocation, relegating him to a disappointing twelfth place on the grid. Though he fought again through 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 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. Nevertheless, he’s absolutely conscious that the extreme Nevada warmth will pose its personal set of challenges, making it clear that he should 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 gotten lots of completely different variables that we’re usually not used to, and lots of challenges forward, like they had been final 12 months.” – the Ferrari driver identified.
Waiting for his ultimate races with Ferrari, Carlos Sainz has made it clear that his major goal is to assist safe the Constructors’ Championship for the group. Whereas he continues to deal with delivering robust 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 will 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 robust drivers to get factors each weekend and particularly they’ve three tracks coming the place there’s no motive why they couldn’t be additionally the quickest automotive.” – he defined.
“So to beat them will probably be extraordinarily robust, however an excellent 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 off 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’d be extraordinarily happy with and the right ending.” – the longer term Williams driver concluded.
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