Carlos Sainz reiterated his belief that it is more important to help Ferrari recover from the sad season of last year than to beat Charles Leclerc.
Sainz signed with Ferrari ahead of last year’s championship, ignoring what to expect Ferrari for the 2020 season.
After finishing second the previous year, taking three wins, Ferrari went winless in 2020 with just three podiums.
The team fell to sixth in the constructors’ championship while Sainz’s team McLaren secured third place.
This led to Sainz being frequently asked if he regretted his decision to go red, which he vehemently denied.
His move means a new team-mate to Charles Leclerc with the Monaco driver with his long-term contract said to be Ferrari’s future.
Sainz says while he hopes to lead the fight to Leclerc, the main goal is to help Ferrari recover.
“There is always a balance to be struck between wanting to be competitive with your benchmark as a teammate, but at the same time, especially as we are currently crossing over at Ferrari, there is one thing that is of paramount importance and that ‘is the team,’ he told Crash.net.
“I think we’re both going to do everything we can to make sure we can help this team move forward.
“We have already started on the right foot, we get along well and we have a good relationship.
🏎 And there it is! First laps tomorrow! 🎥
–# SF21 #Carlossainz pic.twitter.com/XUeCxHoN1c– Carlos Sainz (@ Carlossainz55) March 10, 2021
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The teammates have spent a lot of time in Maranello preparing for the pre-season testing.
Taking part in a test at the Fiorano circuit at the end of January, the duo also had seat arrangements at the headquarters as well as “many discussions” with team leader Mattia Binotto on what Ferrari expects from its drivers this season.
Sainz added: “We spend a lot of time here at Maranello in January and February, so I’m encouraged by the relationship and how we can move forward, and how we can help the team move forward.
“Personally, I’ve never had a problem with my teammates so I don’t know why I should have one with Charles.
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