Sainz confident of "fighting anyone" in new F1 era

Carlos Sainz has backed his ability to 'fight anyone' as F1 teams enter the new season with all-new machinery.

F1 will race to all-new aerodynamic regulations this year as the sport seeks to increase the ability of drivers to race closely.

Sainz has been one of the standout performers in recent years, his debut season at Ferrari making up his previous results at McLaren with the Spaniard finishing fifth, behind only the Mercedes and Red Bull drivers last year.

"Let's see [this year] if we are all fighting for higher stakes, if we can keep it that way because personally I enjoy it a lot and feel capable of fighting anyone, for sure," said Sainz, speaking in December.

Asked if he felt recognised as one of the "good young drivers in F1", Sainz added: "I don't consider myself part of the young generation.

"What I do consider myself is [being at] a very strong level and able to fight whoever I need to fight.

"I just enjoy it, battling with guys like Charles, Lando and George, he gets the Mercedes.

"It is a similar generation of drivers that, even if I am not the exact age they are, I just enjoy fighting with them.

"I think they are on a really good level but in a way they always manage to keep it clean on track, put together good battles and [last year], if you look at the midfield and the way we managed to behave ourselves when racing, it has been really positive."

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