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Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz believes that he has still not been able to capitalize on taking advantage of his new, potential championship-winning car this season, despite a second consecutive podium finish this year.
Carlos Sainz was a relieved man after he was able to fend off Red Bull’s Sergio Perez to the finish line to grab the final spot on the podium at the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix on Sunday. However, the Spaniard still feels that he hasn’t got the best out of his new car.
Sainz did have a few issues with his SF-75 hours before the race, but the Scuderia did manage to sort out the problems in the nick of time.
While speaking after his 3rd place finish at the Saudi Arabian GP, Sainz explained that he felt more comfortable in his car this weekend in comparison to the weekend in Bahrain, where he was far behind the pace of Leclerc. However, he did manage a second-place finish in Bahrain.
The 27-year-old said, “For me the race was a bit of progress from Bahrain. I managed to find a bit more rhythm with the car. Still some tenths to find but I think I will end up getting there.”
Carlos Sainz now has finished on the podium in three of his last races. 2nd place in Bahrain, 3rd in Saudi Arabia and admittedly, 3rd at the Abu Dhabi circuit in what was the final race last season. He is yet to win a race in F1, but surely moving closer to that target.
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen clinched his first victory of the season after a tight battle with Charles Leclerc on Sunday. But Sainz benefitted during a safety car period at the expense of Perez, who started the race in pole position.
Sainz, who started in P3 on the grid, was passed by Verstappen on the first lap of the race but the Spaniard got a massive assist safety car, which allowed him to get ahead of the Mexican in the race.
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