Carlos Sainz: We might have a chance in the race

Carlos Sainz set the second fastest time during qualifying for the Australian Grand Prix. At the press conference after the session, the Ferrari driver spoke about his health condition, assessed his result and the chances of challenging Max Verstappen in the race.

Question: Carlos, what a nice comeback! How did you feel while driving?
Carlos Sainz: Thank you, I feel fine.

I said at the beginning of the weekend that I wasn’t feeling 100%. I think it’s impossible to be 100% ready after spending seven to ten days in bed, like I did, while trying to recover from surgery. But the good news is that I don’t feel any pain. I feel uncomfortable and there are unusual sensations in my body, but I can attack. And today I attacked with full force.

On Friday I acted carefully from the start and took my time: I adjusted the seat, the belts and the brake pedal. But today during qualifying, with the adrenaline flowing, I lowered the visor of my helmet and attacked.

I hope that tomorrow I can take another step forward towards recovery. I’ve spent a lot of time doing physical therapy over the past few days. Everything is geared towards recovery and I hope I’ll be fine tomorrow.

Question: You showed the best time in the first and second parts of qualifying. You must be a little disappointed that you didn’t get pole position?
Carlos Sainz: A little. The result can be assessed from two different sides. If you had told me two weeks ago, after my appendix was removed, that I would be ready to fight for pole in Australia, I would have 100% agreed with that option.

On the other hand, after showing the best time in the first and second parts, and knowing that I could improve in the third part, it is quite normal to feel some disappointment.

I didn’t qualify in Jeddah and probably got a bit out of rhythm because of that. I also continue to study the new car. There is perhaps something that I could have learned during qualifying in Jeddah and that I could have applied today for the final, but I didn’t learn it. And the car’s behavior surprised me in some corners, making the lap not the cleanest.

But like I said, if they told me five days ago, when I flew to Australia to continue my recovery, that I would not only drive, but also fight for pole, I would have agreed.

Q: What goals do you have for the race? Do you think you can beat Max?
Carlos Sainz: Nowadays you have to be 100% ready to beat Max, and today I wasn’t ready. This is probably the reason I missed pole position. I think if I had done 100% well, pole position would have been possible.

I will do my best to stay ahead of Max tomorrow as a lot of time has passed since last year’s race in Singapore and Max hasn’t moved from first place since. If there is one weekend where we have speed, it is this weekend.

It’s difficult to overtake on the Australian circuit, it’s not easy on the tires, but who knows how it will develop? I think we might have a chance.