What is most painful for Sainz? "Being half a second slower than Red Bull"

To Carlos Sainz, the gap between Ferrari and Red Bull Racing is perhaps the most painful aspect of this season, as he reveals in an interview with The Race. His team is currently fourth in the constructors' championship, while he himself is fifth in the drivers' standings. However, the gap with Red Bull makes that much harder for the Spaniard to accept.

"It's tougher than any other year," Sainz opens up about his 2023 season so far. After 2022, when Ferrari regained its competitiveness, expectations for 2023 were high. "To suddenly realize that we were over half a second slower than Red Bull was difficult to accept. It required a reset, going back to the drawing board, and making sure everyone stays motivated."

And that is indeed challenging. While Charles Leclerc has secured pole position and stood on the podium, Sainz hasn't been able to achieve the same level of success and currently sits fifth in the championship. However, that's not the most painful thing. "It's more the gap to Red Bull that hurts. If we were fourth in the constructors' championship but knew that we had a chance to take pole and win races every weekend, it would be easier to accept."

Red Bull's dominance has surprised Sainz and Ferrari. The 28-year-old Madrilenian also believes that Mercedes and Aston Martin have been blown away. Sainz fears that updates alone will not be enough to dethrone Red Bull. "It's realistic to say that Red Bull has reached a performance level that is very challenging to achieve through just an evolution of our car. But after the first few races, we have identified clear weaknesses in our package. It's that combination we are now focusing on."

Sainz sets sights on Ferrari contract extension

However, the focus is slowly shifting towards 2024, the final year of both Leclerc and Sainz's contracts. Sainz has been mentioned as a potential option for Audi in 2026, but he himself is aiming for a contract extension in Maranello. "I only see my immediate future at Ferrari, and I want to be successful with this team. There is nothing that would make me happier than winning again with Ferrari, competing for a championship. Whether you win or not, it's a championship battle. It's not necessarily about winning, but taking on that challenge in the short and medium term is what truly motivates me."