‘Curious, open-minded’ Sainz proving a natural fit at Ferrari F1 team

Carlos Sainz’s “curious” and “open-minded” approach has enabled him to quickly integrate himself at Ferrari, according to the Formula 1 team’s sporting director Laurent Mekies. 

Ferrari announced the signing of Sainz from McLaren back in May last year, with the Spaniard brought in to partner Charles Leclerc as a replacement for departing four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel. 

Sainz has spent the winter break getting accustomed to the Italian outfit’s Maranello headquarters in a bid to fully immerse himself within the team ahead of pre-season testing which begins on Friday. 

Mekies says the rapid process of Sainz’s acclimatisation has impressed Ferrari. 

“We get a lot of positive energy from the early phase of the relationship between Carlos and Charles,” he explained. 

“Carlos has been spending a lot of time at the factory. Ever since he joined us, he has been integrating himself into the team very rapidly, he is a curious guy who is open-minded. 

“He comes with interesting experience from other teams and his relationship with engineers has already felt very natural from day one. Now we are trying to make this experiences deeper and denser, and it is progressing very well in that respect.”

Mekies noted that the relationship between Sainz and Leclerc has already started very positively, adding that both drivers are “enjoying” being partnered together. 

“Charles knows the team upside down,” Mekies said. “It’s his third year with us, and we can see him developing every day a little bit more as a leader. He’s very conscious of the role he has at the team, in and out of the car. 

“The early phase of that relationship between Carlos and Charles is functioning very well, already operating as team-mates, when they’re in the simulator or meeting the engineers. 

"Of course it is easy to have a good relationship in the winter months but I think they are generally enjoying each other’s inputs and approach to the team and it’s going to be a very positive starting point of the season with them onboard.

“Ultimately, they are a key part of the team. Their enthusiasm and energy will be essential in making the 2021 campaign a decisive step in the right direction for the future of our team.