Carlos Sainz wants to enjoy his last Ferrari home race in Monza more consciously and raves about the special connection to the Tifosi
On Sunday, Carlos Sainz will drive for the last time as a Ferrari driver in front of his home Tifosi in Monza. The Spaniard will leave the Scuderia after the season and move to Williams, but first he wants to enjoy an emotional weekend in Italy as much as possible. “I want to embrace the emotions,” he says
Sainz admits that he has neglected this aspect too often in his career. With 24 races a year, some events are simply routine and a job.
“But before this weekend I tried to stop a bit, look around and tell myself that I am a Ferrari driver with a chance of the podium or even victory this weekend if everything goes well,” said the Spaniard. “I just try to enjoy the moment with the tifosi.”
Now that his Ferrari career is coming to an end, it is also time for him to look back. When asked about his first Ferrari memory, he remembers his first test in red on the Ferrari home track in Fiorano.
“When I put on the red suit and saw myself jumping into the red car, and my father was there to witness this special moment, I saw that he had a tear in his eye – and that is a memory I will never forget,” says Sainz.
Sainz: First had to learn to be a Ferrari driver
Since then, a lot has changed for the 29-year-old. Sainz has matured into a winning driver at Ferrari and has spent a total of four years with the team from Maranello. “I first had to learn how to be a Ferrari driver,” he laughs.
“It’s something that people can’t imagine, but you have to know how Ferrari works, how Ferrari is, and you have to improve as a Ferrari driver in those four years,” says Sainz.
In the meantime, however, he has fully arrived at Ferrari. He says the tifosi have taken him to their hearts – especially after the Monza pole last year and the victories in Singapore and Australia. “I feel really loved and I feel the connection with them,” says Sainz, who wants to savor that once again this weekend.
Nice farewell wishes from the Tifosi
A lot of people sent him messages after his switch to Williams and said that they were supporting him. “Many have sent me letters and really nice words saying that they will also follow me at Williams and that they wish me all the best at Williams and will also support me there,” he says.
“When that comes from people as passionate as the Tifosi, who love Ferrari and of course always want Ferrari to succeed, then such kind words fill me up,” says Sainz. “It’s really great to read and receive. “
He also has fond memories of last year in Monza, where he took pole and also finished on the podium: “So much red on the home straight and everyone singing and chanting your name. That’s something I’ll still carry with me when I’m 80,” he laughs.
“And when I’m sitting there with my grandchildren, I’ll tell them what I did 40 or 50 years ago. It’s a great story that I can tell them, and it will always be with me,” he says.