#Sainz looking to return to 'Consistent Carlos' in 2023 – but says Ferrari will need to be 'perfect' to compete for championship

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#Sainz looking to return to 'Consistent Carlos' in 2023 – but says Ferrari will need to be 'perfect' to compete for championship #f1 #formula 1

[f1]

Sainz looking to return to 'Consistent Carlos' in 2023 but says Ferrari will need to be 'perfect' to compete for championship

Carlos Sainz has set his sights on returning to his consistent best in 2023 as the Spaniard aims to put a “challenging” 2022 season behind him – although he admits he and Ferrari will need to be “perfect” to compete for both titles this year. For a large part of the 2022 campaign, Sainz struggled to match the pace of his team mate Charles Leclerc, as he was outqualified by the Monegasque on 15 occasions – including in the first eight races of the year – while also losing out 12 times on Sunday to the five-time race winner. ANALYSIS: The good, the bad and the future – What's next for Charles Leclerc after his 2022 title defeat? While Sainz finished ahead of Leclerc in his first season with Ferrari in 2021, he ended up 62 points behind his team mate in 2022. But now that he feels "up to speed" with the new generation of cars, the Spaniard has set his sights on returning to his form of two years ago. “Yeah, it's been a challenging [year], as you guys have seen from the outside,” said Sainz when asked about his 2022 season. “There was a challenging first third of the season where I struggled a bit with the car balance, with the driving style, a car that for some reason didn't suit me straight out of the box, and I had to fight through it quite a lot. Sainz struggled to match the pace of Leclerc in 2022, especially in the early parts of the season “And the second two-thirds, I have been a lot happier with the car. I've been a lot more on the pace, but unfortunately, a lot of DNFs, a lot of reliability issues along the way. “On top of that, it looks like Mercedes and Red Bull did have a better second half of the season. And it means that even though I'm up to speed with a car and I'm driving well, and I had a solid weekend, for example, in Mexico, the maximum I could get was a P5." READ MORE: Ferrari announce launch date for 2023 challenger He continued: “So, a bit unfortunate in that regard. But I've learned a lot. I'm proud of the progress I've done inside the car, with my engineers, the way that we managed to turn my pace around. And yeah, I'll make sure next year we are back to being the consistent Carlos of 2021 and get good results.” This feature is currently not available because you need to provide consent to functional cookies. Please update your cookie preferences 2022: Bloopers and Outtakes When asked whether he and Ferrari can launch a championship challenge against Max Verstappen and Red Bull in 2023, Sainz added that both he and his team would need to be “perfect” for that to happen after conceding their rivals were simply “faster” in 2022. READ MORE: Giovinazzi to race for Ferrari in World Endurance Championship alongside F1 reserve duties in 2023 “Clearly [last] year, it wasn't [possible], because I'm very far from [Max Verstappen] in the championship. And the way that he has performed in combination with Red Bull, they've been just the faster package: the quicker car; the quicker driver,” admitted Sainz. “I do feel like with a perfect year, it should be possible, but we will need to be perfect next year and we will need to improve the car. I will need to improve, especially in the first half of the season and in the races. So, that is the target and you need to put high targets to yourself, and onto the team like this. You can try and accomplish them. And then let's see what life brings [this] year.” via Formula 1 News https://www.formula1.com

#F1 #Sainz looking to return to 'Consistent Carlos' in 2023 – but says Ferrari will need to be 'perfect' to compete for championship #Formula 1

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Ferrari Driver Academy announce 2022 line-up as Arthur Leclerc and Oliver Bearman graduate to F2

The Ferrari Driver Academy have announced the eight drivers that will compose their line-up for 2023, including two new appointments. Arthur Leclerc and Oliver Bearman continue with Ferrari's junior programme, as the pair prepare to make their respective FIA F2 debuts. READ MORE: Sainz looking to return to 'Consistent Carlos' in 2023 – but says Ferrari will need to be 'perfect' to compete for championship Also continuing with the FDA are Dino Beganovic, who steps up to FIA F3 this year, plus European Formula Regional drivers Rafael Camara and Maya Weug – the first woman to join the Academy – and F4 driver James Wharton. Ferrari's new-for-2023 intake comprises FDA Scouting World Finals winner Tuukka Taponen and 2022 FIA Girls on Track Rising Stars winner Aurelia Nobels, who will both race in Formula 4 this season. "The start of a new academic year is always a very special moment. It’s good to meet up again with our existing students and even more special to open the doors to our new ones. It’s going to be a particularly demanding season because seven of the eight of them will be rookies in their category and so they face an even tougher challenge," said FDA head Marco Matassa. READ MORE: Giovinazzi to race for Ferrari in World Endurance Championship alongside F1 reserve duties in 2023 "In 2022, we were back winning titles again and, for our part, we are ready to do our utmost, investing even more in terms of the facilities and personnel that we will put at the disposal of our youngsters, to help and support them in obtaining the results of which we know they are capable. "A special welcome goes to our newcomers, Aurelia Nobels and Tuukka Taponen, the latest graduates of our scouting programme. Aurelia joins the FDA from the programme we run with the FIA, which has already proved successful with Maya Weug, while Tuukka was the most outstanding of the youngsters who came to Maranello for the third edition of the FDA Scouting World Finals, where all those taking part were of a very high standard. We are looking forward to starting work with them and the other students in the hope that we have a successful year together." via Formula 1 News https://www.formula1.com

#F1 #Ferrari Driver Academy announce 2022 line-up as Arthur Leclerc and Oliver Bearman graduate to F2 #Formula 1

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WATCH: From a first career victory to outstanding overtakes The best moments from Carlos Sainz's 2022 season

Carlos Sainz had a memorable 2022 season, with the Spaniard achieving a first Formula 1 win, a first career pole position and numerous podiums, all while being involved in some great wheel-to-wheel battles. Ferrari and Sainz’s 2022 season got off to a fast start in Bahrain, with the Spaniard following home team mate Charles Leclerc in a one-two finish for the Scuderia. Sainz, however, would have to wait until his 150th race weekend at Silverstone to get not just the first pole of his career, but also his first victory. READ MORE: Sainz looking to return to 'Consistent Carlos' in 2023 – but says Ferrari will need to be 'perfect' to compete for championship Sainz also produced some incredible drives through the field, such as at the Sprint in Imola, and at the French and Italian Grands Prix. Along with that, the Spanish racer also showcased his impressive overtaking prowess, as seen in Brazil. Click on the video player above to relive some of the highlights from Sainz’s 2022 season, as he gets set for his third campaign partnering Charles Leclerc at Ferrari. via Formula 1 News https://www.formula1.com

#F1 #WATCH: From a first career victory to outstanding overtakes – The best moments from Carlos Sainz's 2022 season #Formula 1