“One of the best drivers in the history of the sport” – Carlos Sainz on Red Bull mentor Sebastian Vettel

“One of the best drivers in the history of the sport” – Ferrari newbie Carlos Sainz has paid tribute to his Red Bull mentor Sebastian Vettel.

Carlos Sainz has had a decent start to life at Ferrari after his move from McLaren replacing Sebastian Vettel. The Spaniard also raced for Renault, after starting his F1 career with the Red Bull sister team Toro Rosso (now AlphaTauri).

Sainz was also a development and test driver for Red Bull during Vettel’s years with the team. He has spoken about learning from the four-time champion, calling him one of the greatest, as per Ferrari’s website.

“I´ve known Seb for many years and he has always been a reference in my career. I was doing endless hours in the simulator at Red Bull Racing when he was winning world championships and I learned a lot from his way of doing things, in and out of the track.

“He is definitely one of the best drivers in the history of the sport and I will always consider him a role model in many ways.”

Sainz motivated to win titles for Ferrari

Ferrari have not won a title since Kimi Raikkonen did back in 2009, something Sainz is motivated to change. He acknowledges the pressure of racing for the greatest team in the sport, turning it into positive energy.

“Every F1 driver has a lot of pressure, not only Ferrari drivers. The key is not how much pressure there is, but how you handle it.

“Ferrari is expected to be at the top because it is the most successful team in the history of the sport.

“We share the same goal, which is to be back winning as soon as possible, and that inevitably sets the bar very high. I turn that ambitious goal into motivation rather than pressure, and it gives me strength to keep going.”

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