How Carlos Sainz balanced Ferrari "pressure" whilst "realising a dream"

Ferrari

How Sainz balanced Ferrari "pressure" whilst "realising a dream"

Sainz stood on the podium four times for Ferrari in his debut year

Sam Hall

Wednesday 29 December 2021 12:15

Carlos Sainz has reflected on the crucial balance struck between realising a childhood dream in driving for Ferrari and the "more stressful" demands it requires.

Ferrari is the team most synonymous with F1 and as such the pressures of representing the prancing horse can add to the difficulties of being a driver.

"It comes with a lot more pressure," explained Sainz. "It also comes with a bit of a busier schedule, being a Ferrari driver and having to have so many commitments.

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"It does make the season a bit more packed, a bit more stressful and a bit more with extra pressure."

In his first year with the Maranello-based team, Sainz scored four podiums and finished fifth in the drivers' standings, behind only the two Red Bull and Mercedes drivers.

His efforts also aided Ferrari in its recovery from a torrid 2020 season that saw the team end the year sixth in the constructors' table. This time around, after a year-long battle with McLaren, the Scuderia finished third.

"It has been fairly easy for me to keep reminding myself that I am realising a dream, that I am driving for the best team in F1 and the most historic team in F1. It is a dream come true for me since I was a kid," added Sainz.

"If I keep reminding myself of this kind of thing, I always go into the weekend excited, with good energy and always trying to learn and become better and make sure that if the chance of fighting for a world championship with Ferrari ever arrives, I am going to be as ready and prepared as possible.

"This has given me a good balance this year and allowed me to make another little step as a driver and to make me finish the season on a high."