Sainz Asserts Singapore Is Proof Of Ferrari's Ability To Deliver Under Pressure

Thursday, 14 December 2023 at 05:00

The only non-Red Bull Grand Prix winner in 2023, Carlos Sainz, suggested Ferrari's victory at Marina Bay Street Circuit was proof the team could perform and deliver under pressure.

Singapore Grand Prix was the only weekend in 2023 that Red Bull Racing, who won 21/22 races, lost their pace and gave a chance to their opponents.

Carlos Sainz, who finished third in Italy the weekend before, was fully prepared to capitalize on this opportunity, and he did as he won both Qualification and led the race to bring his Ferrari across the finish line in first place. As reported by motorsport.com, he said:

"The fact that we took it and we didn't waste one single opportunity there and we maximise FP1, FP2, FP3, quali, Q1, Q2, Q3 and the race was I think a huge accomplishment."

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Mercedes team principal recently shared he thought his team was the fastest in Singapore but could not translate their race pace into victory. Despite not having the fastest car, Sainz showed Ferrari can perform under pressure. He continued:

"Not only for me but also for the team, to prove that when the opportunity arrives next year we are able to win."

There weren't many weekends in the season where the Italian team was in place to challenge for the race victory, but when they got the chance, they made the most of it.

The only other opportunity for the race to win, as Sainz recalled, was in Las Vegas. However, the Spanish driver suffered an unlucky penalty, and his teammate Charles Leclerc was in a position to win, but an unfortunately timed safety car hindered his progress.

"We were under pressure that weekend because it meant that it was our only weekend maybe to fight for a win in combination maybe with Vegas."

While Ferrari and its drivers made multiple strategic mistakes and driver errors, Sainz highlighted that the whole team avoided mistakes when the victory was near.

"But this we didn't know at the time. The fact that we maximised it, we performed, we didn't fail under pressure and we put together that weekend, I think is a great showing that next year we're capable of doing things if we get a good car."