Carlos Sainz has fired strong demand on Ferrari as the Spanish driver wants to be back on top. This comes right after the Prancing Horse star was left surprised by Max Verstappen and Fernando Alonso.
Speaking at a conference organized by Ferrari’s sponsor Estrella Galicia, Sainz recalled the tough start they had in the 2023 F1 season. He also focused on how everyone on the team wanted more and had immense expectations regarding the improvement.
Back, fresh and ready! Good to see you, @CarlosSainz55 💪 pic.twitter.com/Pq4BNhsBHK
— Scuderia Ferrari (@ScuderiaFerrari) March 30, 2023
After fighting for wins, pole positions, and podiums last year, the Italian team expected a similar situation, he added. However, in reality, it is quite different coming into the season as they are struggling in P4 in the constructors’ championship.
Emphasizing this, Sainz asked everyone to get together and start working hard back at the factory in Maranello. He added that “hard work” is a must in order to bring improvements and get back to winning ways.
Max Verstappen and Red Bull surprised Sainz
The developments made by defending champions Red Bull very much surprised the Ferrari driver. The Spanish driver, who is linked with a new opportunity, was baffled by the massive improvement Adrian Newey made with RB-19 in 2023.
Red Bull has started exactly from where they left off last season. The Milton-Keynes-based team won 17 out of 22 races last season to shell out one of the most dominant seasons in F1. However, with RB-19, the domination looks even scarier for rivals.
RB19 💙 Three out of three does deserve some appreciation 💪 pic.twitter.com/05vhxISmDD
— Oracle Red Bull Racing (@redbullracing) April 8, 2023
The Austrian team won three races out of three. Picked up three pole positions, two fastest laps, and five podiums so far. They lead the championship by a huge margin, whereas Ferrari is languishing behind.
Aston Martin is a new cause of concern for Sainz and his team
When it comes to the second fastest team next to Red Bull, it is Aston Martin. The Silverstone-based team has made a giant leap in performance and the statistics reflect their hard work.
After finishing last season in P7 with Sebastian Vettel, the British team is right back with the best teams in 2023, with Fernando Alonso. Currently sitting in P2, the team has temporarily replaced Ferrari as a force to reckon with.
Furthermore, Alonso’s back-to-back three podiums in three races, thanks to the mighty AMR23, is a cause of concern for the Prancing Horse. Now, the Italian team will not only have to look at Red Bull but also Aston Martin.
