Sainz cryptic about Ferrari chances: 'Tests are not far away'

Carlos Sainz watched from a helicopter on Sunday as his father won the first stage of the Dakar Rally. Afterwards, he spoke to Sky Sports Italia briefly and looked ahead to the new Formula 1 season with Ferrari.

The Spaniard was very enthusiastic about the way his father took the win. "I was in a helicopter and it was beautiful and unbelievable," he said in the interview, before expressing his thanks. "He wanted to do it for us."

In doing so, Sainz notes that his family has started the year well. He hopes to continue that line at Ferrari, where the ambition is to win the world title in 2023. "Hopefully it will be a good year. It started very well for the Sainz family. I hope it will be the same for me and Ferrari."

Sainz hopeful for good Ferrari year

With the recruitment of Frederic Vasseur as the new team boss, Ferrari hopes to bring about change within the team. Next season, it wants to continue the line of last year and come up with a car with which it can beat Red Bull Racing and Mercedes.

The Ferrari driver is hopeful, although he does not want to go into details just yet. "Of course I have been 'following' it for several months and have spoken to the new team boss Vasseur. The tests are not far away, but until I see the others on the track, I am not saying anything."