Ferrari look to be in a much better position in 2021 than they were in 2020, as evidenced by Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz's sixth and eighth place finishes. The Spaniard however took it easy on purpose, as he reported after the race.
For Carlos Sainz the Bahrain Grand Prix was his first official appearance during a race weekend for Ferrari. The Spaniard has had two strong years at McLaren, but decided to take it easy. In Bahrain Sainz first wanted to get to know his car better.
Sainz deliberately took it easy
''I had a strong end of the race. We were very fast on the medium and hard tyre. I had a bad start. Partly due to mistakes, but also a deliberate choice to slow down. I wanted to get through lap one so I could get to know the car in the dirty air,'' said Sainz to Paddock Pass.
''I see this race as an important step in my learning curve. I wanted to get to know the car in dirty air, and once I drove in clean air we were very fast. I've always been good with my starts at McLaren, so I'm sure the same will come at Ferrari. I just made a conscious decision now to be more careful, and not because I didn't have a good feeling with the car, but just to learn more,'' the Spaniard concludes.