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Sainz realistic about chances against Red Bull: 'Usually ahead in the race'

Sainz realistic about chances against Red Bull: 'Usually ahead in the race'

04-03-2023 20:28

GPblog.com

Ferrari proved to have more pace in qualifying for the Bahrain Grand Prix than predicted beforehand. Carlos Sainz therefore hopes to take the fight to Red Bull Racing, but he fears the rival team has an edge.

Sainz realistic about chances against Red Bull

"It's been a difficult weekend up until quali for me," Sainz explained in conversation with Sky Sports. In the end, the Ferrari driver managed to recover in qualifying. "I'm still not 100% happy with a few corners in sector 2 that I was struggling with but apart from that we were able to make good progress."

As for his expectations for the race, Sainz is keeping both feet on the ground. "Gut feeling is that we are going to try out best to battle the Red Bull's but it's true that in quali they are one step ahead and then in my feelings they are 1 and a half steps ahead in the race. So, it's going to be more difficult in the race," concluded the 28-year-old Spaniard.

Ferrari usually excels in qualifying, but under the guidance of Frederic Vasseur, the Italian racing stable has been working hard on the race pace of the SF-23. "We know that our car is not ideal in the race. We still need to do some fine tuning on the set up, but we will try everything we can to battle them tomorrow," Sainz said.