Sainz: This could be my last victory for Ferrari

Grand Prix winner Carlos Sainz of Mexico City said in an interview that he is very proud of his achievement, but at the same time understands that this could be his last victory in Formula 1 with a Ferrari.

Question: Carlos, congratulations. You wanted to get another victory with Ferrari, and you succeeded. How special is this victory for you?
Carlos Sainz: Yes, really special. I felt like I had a really good chance of winning the race this weekend. I had a good feeling going into the weekend and was determined to win.

I was focused all weekend. I knew my family, my best friends and my girlfriend would come to Mexico City to support me. Maybe fate had something special in store for me this weekend. This could be my last victory for Ferrari with my loved ones who have supported me all season. I was a great pilot and you can’t even imagine how happy and proud I am now.

Question: How emotional was the awards ceremony with your race engineer and car on the podium?
Carlos Sainz: Very emotional. You know, I even shed tears during the Spanish national anthem. Definitely one of the best moments of my career. My mother was never personally present at the Formula 1 races I won. She came this weekend and I really wanted to win.

Overall the whole weekend was perfect. Although losing the start and the further battle with Max Verstappen made everything a bit more complicated, it did make victory more desirable as I had to put in a huge effort. It’s unbelievable what my loved ones saw this weekend.

Q: You mentioned the beginning. Can you tell us more about the first 750 meters of the race?
Carlos Sainz: Yeah, I didn’t have the best start. You know, Max usually starts very well, and generally, like his car, he is good on low-grip circuits, and Mexico City is one such circuit.

Obviously I was prepared for a scenario where Max would be next to me in the first corner. I braked as late as possible, and he braked as late as I did, and I just didn’t have room going into Turn 2. But I didn’t lose my cool, because I knew that as soon as the minimum opportunity presented itself, I would try to get back to the lead.

You know, in the fight against Max you always have to be decisive, otherwise you will never catch up with him. I think the moment I caught up I caught him off guard. At that moment the tension was at its peak and immediately after my overtaking other events started. So yes, it was an exciting moment in the race.

Q: Was the rest of the race uneventful after you regained the lead? We heard on the radio that there was a misfire at one point. Was this an isolated incident?
Carlos Sainz: Yes, single. The only time there was a misfire during the entire race was on the exit of turn three after landing on the curb. The moment was actually quite scary, but this had already happened over the weekend and we knew it was due to the track’s height above sea level and the engine’s mapping.

Once in the lead of the race I kept my pace and controlled the tire wear, because I knew I was very fast this weekend and I just had to do what I planned and victory was possible.

Closer to the finish, McLaren and Lando Norris proved that they are very fast and it is not easy to stay ahead of them, but I am happy that Charles set the best lap and we earned a lot of points in the Constructors’ Championship.

Q: You were fast in Austin and won in Mexico City. What do you expect from the podium in Brazil?
Carlos Sainz: Good question, but let me first enjoy the victory in Mexico City before I think about Brazil. Tonight I’m going to celebrate. I want to enjoy this victory.

I think from now on we can start dreaming of winning the Constructors’ Championship, and tomorrow we will think about Brazil. Today it’s time to have fun.

Q: How realistic do you think it is to win the Constructors’ Championship?
Carlos Sainz: Charles and I believe this is possible, so we talk about this scenario more and more. My partner and I encourage each other and say, “Yes, we can do it.” We have a good relationship with him and we know we are both great pilots.

This weekend the team did an excellent job on a difficult circuit, although the first and second parts of qualifying were quite chaotic and everything could have gone according to a bad scenario.

We just have to stay in the fight and not concentrate on a possible victory in the Constructors’ Championship, because at this stage it does not depend only on us. We are a bit dependent on McLaren because of their speed. But yes, the team will continue to do its best, and Charles and I will push each other to win the Constructors’ Championship.