SUMMARY
- Carlos Sainz's impressive win in Australia defied Ferrari's previous qualifying struggles behind Max Verstappen.
- Ferrari aims for a significant upgrade in May, recognizing the need to close the gap to Red Bull.
Despite ongoing qualifying struggles that placed them behind championship leader Max Verstappen, Carlos Sainz demonstrated a spectacular performance in the Australian Grand Prix. Their dominant 1-2 finish, with Sainz leading Charles Leclerc, sent shockwaves through Formula 1. However, the narrative was complicated by Verstappen’s early retirement from the pole position due to a break issue.
While Sainz undoubtedly capitalized on the technical issues the Austrian team was facing, Ferrari’s consistent pace throughout the Melbourne weekend suggests a deeper improvement. Practice sessions revealed genuine progress, with the Spaniard demonstrating a competitive race pace that could potentially challenge the reigning world champion.
Carlos Sainz: Ferrari’s battle against Red Bull awaits major upgrade
This latest victory holds greater weight than any of the 2022 wins for Ferrari, which masked underlying upgrade limitations later exploited by Red Bull. Ferrari, in contrast, appeared to reach a developmental plateau, unable to match the relentless pace of the Milton-Keynes team. While the Dutchman’s retirement undeniably impacted the outcome, it cannot discard the fact that Ferrari possessed the speed to compete for victory.
š¦šŗ Carlos about if he thinks Ferrari are closer to Red Bull now:
āI think our car really worked really well this weekend. But I think it’s going to be tough to keep it up there in every track until we bring an upgrade to close that gap that we saw in Bahrain and Jeddah.ā#AusGP pic.twitter.com/4T2PZGdOIL
ā Carlos Sainz News (@CSainzNews_) March 24, 2024
However, Ferrari is aggressively pursuing a significant upgrade package for the Imola round in May. According to Sainz, “Our car worked really well this weekend. But it’s going to be tough to keep it up there in every track until we bring an upgrade to close that gap that we saw in Bahrain and Jeddah…And this year it seems like our race pace is better even on those tracks that we are stronger.”
The 29-year-old further added, “And together with a good development program, I hope that we can challenge Red Bull more often.” While a smaller aerodynamic tweak is planned for the upcoming Suzuka race, they are actively exploring the possibility of accelerating the larger upgrade. The Melbourne 2024 winner made it evident that he wishes to challenge the reigning champions for the title.
Rene Arnoux optimistic about Leclerc and Sainz against Red Bull
The Prancing Horse team has indicated an approach that underscores their determination to close the gap on Red Bull as swiftly as possible. Former Formula 1 driver Rene Arnoux, a known Ferrari supporter, expressed cautious optimism after the team’s strong showing during the race at Albert Park Circuit. Carlos Sainz’s ‘smooth’ victory at that race has undoubtedly bolstered Arnoux’s confidence.
Who has scored what between the two teams out in front in the 2024 Constructors’ Standings so far š
Red Bull lead the way, but are Ferrari in with a chance of catching? pic.twitter.com/rvlzfheOCS
ā Autosport (@autosport) March 31, 2024
The former Ferrari driver stated, “I want to see a real duel. I am not interested in Ferrari winning because of things like that. On the contrary, I’m happy that in a few races, they have managed to erase a few tenths of their deficit. I hope they can compete for the constructors’ championship. Also because Perez is not exactly at a high level. I even think, if there are no major problems, that Ferrari might have a better chance than Red Bull.”Ā
However, Arnoux remains grounded. While Ferrari’s performance in Melbourne has ignited hope, he emphasizes the gap that remains between them and the dominant Red Bull. His assessment highlights his belief that Ferrari has adopted the correct strategic direction and is on a positive trajectory. This optimism extends, cautiously, to a potential constructors’ championship title, reflecting Arnoux’s unwavering loyalty to Scuderia Ferrari.
