(Motorsport-Total.com) – Carlos Sainz showed a strong performance at the formula 1 2024 finale in Abu Dhabi and finished the race in second place. However, there is still a bitter aftertaste for the Spaniard because the expectation-your-chance of victory against Lando Norris and McLaren failed to materialize. ”I think that’s the maximum we could achieve today, given Lando’s pace in the McLaren,” Sainz said after the race.
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Carlos sainz and Lando Norris in the press conference after the race in Abu Dhabi
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“I called it my own,especially at the start. It looked like we could hang onto them. But as soon as we put the hard tires on, they seemed to be one to two tenths faster per lap – as we were all the time We saw it at the weekend,” explains the Ferrari driver.
A strong start, but a critical weakness after the tire change
Sainz was able to hold up in the first stage of the race and put Norris under pressure. “Before the race we knew that there was maybe a tenth or two per lap on us McLaren and that there was enough to create a small cushion before the pit stops came,” he says, which means an undercut attempt more most recently at Ferrari who were not successful.
Sainz describes: “I went vrey fast to maybe get into the DRS area or to have a chance in case of a slightly slower stop from McLaren. Then you mentally go through the options: do I push now to go into the But do I risk destroying the tires or do I protect the tires to push it at the end?
McLaren played to the car’s strengths perfectly with Norris.”I think with the hard tire they were only a tenth or two faster. Lando was able to use this speed whenever he wanted to keep me at a distance,” analyzes Sainz soberly.
Norris praises sainz’s strength in the first period
This is also proven by the data from our technology partner PACETEQ. On the medium tyres, Sainz was on average half a tenth slower than Norris per lap, while on the hard tyres, the Ferrari driver lost around one and a half tenths per lap. It was already clear at the Mexican Grand Prix that McLaren has advantages on the harder C3 tyres.
Lando Norris, who won the constructors’ title for his McLaren team after winning the race, also commented on the intense duel with Sainz: “Carlos did very well. I knew he would put me under pressure straight after the pit stop .”
Still, Norris was confident in the strength of his car: “On the medium tires it was problably the stronger combination of driver and car. But we knew we would be better with the hard tires. When I got the tires in the right range I was able to control the race.”
Incident: Sainz is suspected of tire damage
There was added tension due to an incident in the second part of the race when Sainz reported a possible tire damage on the radio. “I thought I was hit by debris,” is how he describes the situation. But the Ferrari pit remained quiet.Team boss Frederic Vasseur explains: “We didn’t see anything. The pressure values were stable,so we didn’t react.”
Pirelli Motorsport director Mario Isola confirms: “We will check the tire more closely, but after the first checks there was nothing. Maybe it picked up a few stones.”
Conclusion: Respect for McLaren, pride for Ferrari
although Ferrari could not win in abu Dhabi, Sainz draws a positive conclusion from his last race for the Scuderia: “From my side, I think we can be proud of the effort and the championship we had together. It was a year it was tough, but we can certainly be proud of it.”
Sainz has high regard for McLaren, who won their first constructors’ world championship in Abu Dhabi as 1998. “Congratulations to McLaren. They deserve this title. They were very strong in the last two thirds of the season.”
Sainz ended his time at Ferrari on a high note: “It wasn’t an easy weekend for me because it was the last one. But I did my best to stay focused and get the most out of the car.”
How does the rivalry between Lando Norris and Carlos Sainz impact their teams going into the next season?
Interview between Time.news Editor and Formula 1 Expert Dr. Emily Rossi
Time.news Editor: Welcome, Dr. Rossi! It’s great to have you here to discuss the thrilling finish of the Formula 1 2024 season in Abu dhabi. Carlos Sainz’s performance was quite the spectacle, wasn’t it?
Dr. Emily Rossi: thank you for having me! Yes, it was an exhilarating race.Sainz finished in second place, which is commendable, but it’s clear he had his sights set on the top spot.
Time.news Editor: Absolutely. After the race, sainz mentioned that he felt that was the maximum thay could achieve, given Lando Norris’s pace in the McLaren. What do you think contributed to Norris’s dominance?
Dr. Emily Rossi: Lando has been extraordinary this season. The McLaren team has made significant strides in terms of car performance,balancing their aerodynamics and power unit efficiency.Norris has been driving with such confidence, which translates to his competitive edge.
Time.news Editor: It certainly seems like the dynamics between teams have changed this season. What does this mean for Sainz and Ferrari moving forward, given their aspirations for the championship?
Dr. Emily Rossi: It will be crucial for ferrari to analyse their race performance closely.They need to ensure they can compete not just with McLaren but also with other top teams like Mercedes and Red Bull. Sainz’s remarks highlight a level of realism; they may need to reevaluate their strategy to find that extra pace.
Time.news Editor: Interesting point! Sainz mentioned a “bitter aftertaste” after the race. How psychologically impactful do you think it is for a driver to finish so close but not claim victory, especially against a rival like Norris?
Dr. Emily Rossi: It’s a mixed bag of emotions for any driver. On one hand, finishing second is an achievement.But being so close to victory creates a sense of frustration—especially when expectations are high. The psychological aspect is crucial; how Sainz processes this disappointment could influence his performance in future races.
Time.news Editor: Sainz has been vocal about his goals and aspirations. As we look ahead to the next season, how crucial is it for him to build on this experience from Abu Dhabi?
Dr. Emily Rossi: It’s crucial.Every race presents learning opportunities. If Sainz can take the positives from finishing strongly while also identifying where he can improve, he could harness that momentum for a solid start next season. Additionally, maintaining strong dialog with the team to enhance car performance will be vital.
Time.news Editor: Looking ahead, what are some key factors that fans should watch for in the upcoming seasons based on the season finale?
Dr. Emily Rossi: Fans should definitely keep an eye on the evolving competition between McLaren and Ferrari. Also,keep an eye on the advancement of new car technologies and how drivers adapt to these changes. the psychological rivalry between Sainz and Norris will certainly add an exciting dynamic to future races.
Time.news Editor: Dr. Rossi, thank you for your insightful analysis! The 2024 season has been thrilling, and I’m sure it’s going to spark even more excitement in the future.
Dr. Emily Rossi: It’s been a pleasure! I can’t wait to see how the drivers and teams continue to evolve. The world of Formula 1 never fails to deliver surprises!