Sainz criticises 2021 pre-season test schedule ahead of Ferrari debut
Sainz criticises 2021 pre-season test schedule ahead of Ferrari debut
Carlos Sainz has criticised the lack of preparation he will have ahead of his Ferrari debut next season.
In part due to the cramped nature of this season, and also because of the carryover of this year's car into next year, Formula 1 has decided there will be just one three-day pre-season test going into the 2021 campaign.
In switching teams from McLaren to the Scuderia, it means Sainz will have just a day and a half of running to acclimatise to the new Ferrari, resulting in the likelihood of the Spaniard conducting a test in a two-year-old car, as is permitted in the regulations.
"We will see. That's my answer at the moment," said Sainz.
"Once I leave McLaren to be a Ferrari driver there will be a lot of thinking behind the scenes to ensure I arrive at the test and the first race as prepared as possible, and that [a test in a 2018 car] could be an option.
"But I remain committed to McLaren and I don't want to get distracted too much by what January, February and March will bring.
"I can already tell you that a day and a half in these complex Formula 1 cars is not enough to prepare for a season. You don't get to know the tricks of the car, the steering wheel, even though you do a lot of simulator work.
"To get to know the crew in a day and a half is very little, and probably not enough. It is what it is, we will have to adapt and we will need to make sure we are as prepared as possible within the limits of a day and a half."
Despite that, Sainz has at least confirmed to being "very encouraged" by Ferrari's recent upturn in form that has resulted in the team thrusting its way into the fight for third place in the constructors' championship.
"It's been a good few months for them," added Sainz.
"They've demonstrated that they've probably found the issues they had at the beginning of the year. They were not happy about it, but they've shown good character to turn around a difficult season.
"I'm encouraged to see that and I can't wait to find out what they've changed. But three races left with McLaren and plenty still to do here."
Before you go...
Hamilton calls for all F1 drivers to be "rewarded" with big salaries
Drivers to warn FIA against repeat of Turkish GP crane incident
Related
Change your timezone:
Latest News
Hamilton form raises Ferrari F1 move fears
- 28 minutes ago
F1 legend OFFENDED by F1's rejection of Andretti's bid
- 1 hour ago
F1 News Today: Horner and Red Bull saga to reignite as Perez makes 'game over' admission
- 1 hour ago
F1 boss holds talks with Prime Minister about potential new race
- 2 hours ago
Big name driver 'very angry internally' after controversial battle
- 3 hours ago
Horner Red Bull saga set to reignite with FIA 'evidence' hearing
- Today 09:13
Related news
Big name driver 'very angry internally' after controversial battle
Fierce Hamilton F1 rival raises timing issue for Ferrari move
Ferrari F1 star concedes key advantage in crucial team-mate battle
F1 star apologises after China Sprint CLASH
F1 Standings
Drivers
- Oliver Bearman
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
- Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2024
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Australia 2024
- MSC Cruises Grand Prix of Japan 2024
- Grand Prix of China 2024
- Miami Grand Prix 2024
- Gran Premio dell'Emilia Romagna 2024
- Grand Prix of Monaco 2024
- Grand Prix du Canada 2024
- Gran Premio de España 2024
- Grand Prix of Austria 2024
- Grand Prix of Great Britain 2024
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2024
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2024
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Italy 2024
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2024
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2024
- Grand Prix of the United States 2024
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2024
- Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2024
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024
- Qatar Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2024
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media
Innovatieweg 20C7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860