Ferrari updates give Sainz hope: "I want to secure a podium in my home race"

Ferrari travels to Spain with a package of updates, in hopes of making a step forward. The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya is well-suited for testing new components, and Carlos Sainz hopes that these updates will help them take the desired step forward. For his home crowd, the Spanish driver hopes to achieve a podium finish, which would be his first of the season.

So far, the start of the season hasn't turned out as Ferrari had hoped. The Italian team has prepared a package of updates for the Spanish GP, in hopes of being able to compete for podium positions again. Particularly in the race, the Scuderia hopes to be faster, as they have often lacked speed on Sundays. "With the updates, we are taking a new direction. Hopefully, the car will be better to drive, more consistent, and stronger in the races. Time will tell how good these updates are," the Spaniard is quoted on the official Formula 1 website. "We haven't had an easy start to the season, that's clear. These updates are just one of the many steps we still have to take."

The fact that the improvements can already be introduced is a small miracle according to Sainz. The new components were originally planned for later in the season but were developed more quickly given the current situation. The team worked tirelessly at their factory in Maranello, Italy. The Madrid-born driver hopes that their hard work will already pay off this weekend with a podium finish. "Red Bull will probably dominate again, but we will give everything to secure that third place. We will be fighting against Aston Martin and Mercedes, of course, but hopefully, we are now faster in the race and can take advantage of that."

"Will be a while before anyone can challenge Red Bull"

Sainz dares to say in advance that the top two positions are likely not within the realm of possibilities. "On some circuits, we have been able to challenge Red Bull in qualifying, but in the races, they are really untouchable. It will still be a while before anyone can challenge the Red Bulls." In case of problems or mistakes, Sainz hopes to take advantage, and he also dreams of an ideal scenario. "It would be great to be on the podium with Fernando (Alonso, ed.). Especially if one of us were to win, of course. But I think the crowd would already go wild if we were to reach the podium."