Carlos Sainz Jr “could not have wished for a better start” to his Ferrari Formula 1 career after completing more than 100 laps in an “extensive” 2018 car programme at Fiorano on Wednesday.
Sainz has moved from McLaren to replace four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel in Ferrari’s line-up.
He drove the team’s 2018 car in Italy as part of a major test organised by the team this week, and was also in attendance on Wednesday when team-mate Charles Leclerc drove.
His participation has added value as he is working with the engineering team he’ll have in 2021 and the test marked the first on-track opportunity to become more familiar with Ferrari’s processes.
He was denied the chance to drive Ferrari’s 2020 car in the post-season Abu Dhabi test because of restrictions over who could take part, so Ferrari was keen to facilitate an older-car run at the start of this year to bolster Sainz’s preparation ahead of a pre-season test that will last only three days in total.
Sainz’s day in the car at Fiorano, which he said was “a day I will never forget” and was watched by his World Rally Championship-winning father Carlos Sr, began with “very early meetings” and he said even his first installation lap was “exciting”.
What a day 🤩
Here are a few shots from @CarlosSainz55’s first outing on track with us ❤️ https://t.co/ts9VY74Wpc#essereFerrari 🔴 pic.twitter.com/KJ9n0CvKBQ
— Scuderia Ferrari (@ScuderiaFerrari) January 27, 2021
“Then we got down to work and I am very pleased with how the day unfolded,” said Sainz.
“We were able to get through an extensive programme and I was able to familiarise myself with the whole setup: the engineers and mechanics, the steering wheel, the procedures which are obviously a bit different to those on the car I drove last season.
“It was very nice to have my father there at such an important moment in my career.
First time in red 🤩✅
What a memorable day for @CarlosSainz55 on track at Fiorano today 🇮🇹 #essereFerrari 🔴 pic.twitter.com/osz2gyRUbk
— Scuderia Ferrari (@ScuderiaFerrari) January 27, 2021
“And I’d like to thank Mattia [Binotto, team principal], Laurent [Mekies, sporting director] and everyone at Ferrari for such a warm welcome and such a positive first day in the 2018 car.
“I am very happy and could not have wished for a better start.”
Sainz took over testing duties from Leclerc, who left Fiorano for a seat fitting for Ferrari’s 2021 car.
Leclerc’s first laps of the year marked his return from a recent positive COVID-19 diagnosis.
Sainz will drive the 2018 car again on Thursday morning before handing over to Ferrari protege and 2021 Haas driver Mick Schumacher for the afternoon.
Schumacher is scheduled to continue driving on Friday morning before Callum Ilott, Ferrari’s test driver for 2021, completes the week-long test.
Other Ferrari Driver Academy members Marcus Armstrong, the departing junior Giuliano Alesi and Robert Shwartzman drove on Monday.
