What is Carlos Sainz’s favorite track?

In Monaco, Carlos Sainz has scored more points (62) than in any other grand prix. He ties with Barcelona, another special track for the Spaniard. Although other tracks have hosted more than one race a year, such as Bahrain (61), or whose GP has changed its name, such as Brazil (63), Sainz exceeds those figures. He has always been comfortable among the guardrails of the Principality, with mid-range cars or single-seaters fighting for victory. Pole and victory have been missing, but it can be said that Ferrari is consistently among the favorites on a street circuit. In the last pure urban races, Singapore and Las Vegas, Sainz achieved victory, and Leclerc was close, respectively.

“I thoroughly enjoy driving here. The success I’ve had can be attributed to the cars in the midfield. Over the past four years, I’ve had reliable cars that have performed well. However, even in the previous years, whether at Toro Rosso, McLaren, or even in the World Series, I’ve always felt comfortable. I’ve been quick, but the challenge lies in Monaco, where everyone is an expert technician. That’s why qualifying on this circuit is such a thrilling challenge.” admits Carlos.

He has consistently scored points in all his visits since his debut in 2015 with the Faenza car manufacturer. His best result at that time in F1 was sixth place in 2017 with Toro Rosso. He also scored points with Renault in 2018 (10th) and McLaren in 2019 (6th). After joining Ferrari, he achieved podium finishes in 2021 (2nd) and 2022 (2nd) and finished eighth last year. He is optimistic for the weekend: “I achieved my first podium with Ferrari in 2021, and I was close to winning in 2022 if the tire change had gone a little better. It’s one of those circuits where anyone can win; whoever does a good qualifying lap has a chance to win. Let’s go for it!”

“You have to have the best car possible, starting from the training”

He advocates starting with the best possible set-up from the first training sessions, without experimenting, to prepare for Saturday’s return: “It’s open. It depends on who keys the qualifying lap, the warm-up, the ‘set-up’... In Monaco, you need everything. You need the high-load wing, the suspension, the tires, and the information so that they work in a lap. We didn’t do so well here last year, but then we went to Singapore with a car that wasn’t good or easy to drive, and we could take the pole and win. That’s why you must follow that philosophy, bring the best possible car to Free Practice 1, and from there, find confidence.”

Las Vegas or Miami aim to replicate the Monaco show off the track, but no rivals are equal to Monte Carlo for Sainz. “I’m sorry for the others, but no one beats Monaco, and they will never beat it. The only thing it surpasses is the Sunday show; Monaco is sometimes a bit boring. If there were an opportunity to make a passing point in Monaco, it would be an even better track, and we would still have to wait until Sunday. It will always be the best race, but I wouldn’t underestimate the changes Monaco or Imola can make.”

Regarding his future, without recent updates, in England, they ruled out the Spaniard from the fight for a driver’s seat at Mercedes for 2025. Sainz did not want to comment: “I cannot confirm it.”