Sainz: 'Once I find that balance I can be just as fast'

Carlos Sainz is convinced that he can be "as fast as anyone", but admits that in order to do so he must first master the Ferrari F1-75. After a difficult weekend in Imola, the Spaniard says he is still not entirely happy with the car.

The Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix came to an early end - through no fault of his own - for Sainz. The crash with Daniel Ricciardo came after an already difficult weekend for the Spaniard, who admits that he is still not "100 percent happy" in his Ferrari car.

Sainz is looking for the right balance

Things are not yet going as smoothly as he would like and mistakes such as in qualifying, he says, prove that he is not yet completely comfortable in the F1-75. "I’m trying my best to get it up to my liking, to change my driving," explains Sainz at Formula1.com. He adds that making mistakes is also part of that process.

Asked if he needs to gain more experience with the car to maximize his results or if the team can help him do so, he replied there are "no magic weapons". "Honestly, I think it's a combination of both," says Sainz. "I’m having to do techniques and driving that I’m not used to doing in order to be fast with this car."

At the same time, he says he still needs some time in free practice to make the car more to his liking. " As soon as I find the balance that I like and the combination with my driving, I know I can be as fast as anyone out there," Sainz concludes.