Carlos Sainz: “Way too early” to regret Ferrari F1 move

Carlos Sainz says it is “way too early” to start regretting his decision to move to Ferrari for the 2021 Formula 1 season.

Ferrari has endured a torrid start to the delayed 2020 season and appears to have fallen behind McLaren - Sainz’s current team - in the pecking order.

Sainz agreed a deal to join Ferrari for next season as Sebastian Vettel’s replacement, after it was announced Ferrari and the four-time world champion would be parting ways at the end of the year.

With teams forced to carry over their current cars into 2021 as part of a cost-saving measure by F1, there is a chance Ferrari’s struggles could continue into next season.

Asked if he had any second thoughts about his decision to join Ferrari, Sainz replied: "Many people are asking me this question, if I am extremely worried or regretting my decision or anything.

"I feel like it is not a real question to be answered right now. I think it is way too early in the season.

"We all need to be a bit patient. I think you've clearly seen how much a car can change from one year to another - how much Racing Point can change from last year to this year, how much Ferrari can change from last year to this year.

"The good thing about Formula 1 is that this never stops, and that I'm not worried about it happening now because in a year [it can change].

"In 365 days, everything could change. That's why I'm focusing on the present on my time at McLaren.

"I said it 100 times in interviews that my main goal this year is to do as best I can for McLaren and not focus on what is going on in Ferrari.

"Then as soon as this season is over, I will have time to go into Ferrari and focus on that and see how we can make next season better than this one."

Ferrari currently occupy fifth place in the 2020 constructors’ championship, while McLaren sits second, 20 points clear of the Scuderia.