Sainz Pleasantly Surprised: 'Closer To Red Bulls Than I Anticipated'

Friday, 05 April 2024 at 19:30

Updated at Friday, 05 April 2024 at 19:37

Carlos Sainz looked pleasantly surprised after the first two practice sessions at Suzuka Circuit, suggesting Ferrari seemed "closer" to Red Bull than he expected.

The 29-year-old Scuderia Ferrari F1 driver didn't show much hope ahead of the weekend when he emphasized that his team was eight-tenths off Red Bull's pace the last time around.

He suggested he just wanted to enjoy the weekend at one of his favorite circuits. However, after the first two practice sessions, it seems Ferrari might have something to fight for this weekend.

The Spanish driver's FP1 lap was only two-tenths of Max Verstappen's fastest time, and his teammate's stint on hard compound tires impressed Red Bull's Helmut Marko, who said Charles Leclerc "was really fast." Carlos Sainz told Sky Sports after the second session:

"Perhaps, FP1 a bit closer to the Red Bulls than I anticipated or expected. So positive signs from progress made from five months ago to now."

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As Sainz mentioned, the last Japanese Grand Prix didn't even take place that far out in the past. It was scheduled as round number 16 last season, whereas in 2024, it was moved to the start of the year as round number 4.

The pace difference between Ferrari and Red Bull in qualifying on Saturday and race on Sunday will effectively reveal just how close the Italian team really got to Red Bull over the winter break.

In 2023, Leclerc (who is considered a qualifying specialist) lacked 0,8 seconds on Verstappen and Sainz, almost one second, which is a huge difference.

This year, it seems so far, we might be in for a much closer matchup between the top two teams, which are currently separated by a mere four points in the Championship. Sainz added:

"Yeah, it's still obviously FP1. You don't know what fuel loads and engine modes they are running. Last year, we were eight tenths off in quali, and here to be two tenths off in Q1 was a good feeling and good starting base, but they are going to be difficult to beat this weekend."