Five days after his final race for McLaren, Ferrari’s newest driver Carlos Sainz Jnr spent his first day with his new team on Friday. The 26 year old will join Charles Leclerc at Scuderia Ferrari Mission Winnow to form the youngest pairing for the Prancing Horse since 1968. The Spaniard arrived early in the day to have a first seat fitting to prepare for the 2021 season.
Sainz visited the Ferrari factory in Maranello and spoke to media for the first time since he swapped McLaren orange for Ferrari red.“My first time in red is, as you guys can imagine, pretty special,” said Sainz. “It’s a special day for me in general and it’s probably a day I will never forget.”
Spaniard was joined by Charles Leclerc, also in Maranello for some end-of-season meetings. The 2021 drivers also put in an appearance in a virtual lunch meeting for journalists, with the Scuderia Team Principal and Managing Director, Mattia Binotto.
After last week’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Sainz returned briefly to the UK before heading to Italy to begin work with Ferrari. “From my side, I’m fully ready, fully motivated,” he said. “Here today, already after leaving the UK yesterday, totally new, totally refreshed for this new challenge.”
Unlike Fernando Alonso, Sainz was unable to test for his new team at Yas Marina on Tuesday due to restrictions barring drivers who competed last season. Sainz said he is now looking forward to “some Christmas, some holidays to disconnect and making sure we recharge the batteries as quick as possible” before getting to work at Maranello.
“You can be sure I’m going to be here pretty early in January to keep pushing, to keep helping this team to move forward as quick as possible in the best direction,” said Sainz. “And I cannot wait, to be honest.”
His first day with the team included a factory tour, meetings and a seat fit for the 2018 car Sainz will test to prepare for 2021. “It’s something that I will never forget and I cannot wait to do more of the same next year,” said Sainz. “Also thanks to everyone for the warm welcome.”
