Sainz ‘100% ready’ to fight for 2022 F1 title with Ferrari

Ferrari made a vast step forward in 2021 by securing third place in the constructors’ championship and the Italian outfit is hopeful of moving closer to the front of the grid with major technical regulations set to reset the competitive order this year.

Four podiums across an impressive first season with Ferrari enabled Sainz to claim a career-best result of fifth in the drivers’ standings as he beat teammate Charles Leclerc. Although he is yet to win a grand prix, the Spaniard insists he feels prepared to fight for a world title.

“Yeah, 100%,” Sainz replied when asked if he would feel ready to fight for the world championship in 2022.

“Especially, this second half of the season has given me the right confidence with the car, the right confidence with the team, to know I’m ready for whatever comes next year.

“So that combined with the amount of hard work and dedication that we are putting into the 2022 project has put me into the right mindset.”

Sainz was one of the standout performers in 2021 and impressed with his speedy and smooth transition at Maranello despite only having minimal testing time with Ferrari ahead of the campaign.

“I’ve enjoyed it a lot. I think it’s one of my favourite seasons in F1 in terms of just enjoying Formula 1 and enjoying being part of the sport,” he explained.

“It’s been quite hectic, a lot of races, but also a lot of good times. I managed to enjoy myself; at the same time I’ve managed to improve myself through the year.

“I feel like I finished the season much stronger than I started it, so there’s that important progression inside the team. I’ve seen changes inside the team also that have gone in the right direction.

“So honestly, the feeling going into [2022] is very positive and I think we are going to a good moment and good momentum.”

Sainz explained why he found it easy to enjoy the season amid the increased pressure that comes with being a Ferrari driver.

“It’s been fairly easy for me to keep reminding myself that I am achieving a dream that is to drive for the best team in Formula 1 and the most historic team in Formula 1, and it’s a dream come true for me since I was a kid, to be driving for Ferrari,” he added.

“And if I keep reminding myself this kind of thing, then I actually go into the weekend always excited, always with good energy, always trying to learn, trying to become better, to make sure if the chance of fighting for the world championship with Ferrari ever arrives, I’m going to be as prepared and as ready as possible.

“This has given me a good balance, it has allowed me to make another little step as a driver and to make me finish the season on a high and now ready for whatever comes in 2022.”