Image copyright: Getty Images
2024 FIA Formula One World Championship
2024 Chinese Grand Prix
Shanghai International Circuit
Shanghai, China
Sunday, 21 April 2024
Ferrari's Carlos Sainz Jr. is hoping the team can continue making progress in the fifth round of the season at the
Chinese Grand Prix on Sunday, April 21.
The Prancing Horse appears to be the closest challengers to Red Bull in the early stages of 2024 after five podium finishes in the opening four races, including a one-two in the Australian Grand Prix.
Sainz Jr. claimed his first victory of the campaign in Melbourne and secured P3 in the Bahrain Grand Prix and the Japanese Grand Prix to sit fourth in the drivers' standings, four points behind team-mate Charles Leclerc.
Image copyright: Getty Images
The Spaniard might have been closer to Red Bull duo Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez but for his enforced withdrawal from the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix due to appendicitis, which saw reserve driver Oliver Bearman step in to finish in P7.
Sainz Jr. admits it is reassuring to see the improvements made by the Italian manufacturer this year as it allows them to be more flexible with their strategy on race day.
"[It's] very satisfying. We improved the car in the places that we wanted to improve it, and Suzuka proved it, the 29-year-old said.
"Still, in places like Suzuka, we are not as quick as the Red Bull, which is the target. But as soon as we bring a good upgrade to the car that goes in the right direction, hopefully it can get us closer.
"We've improved everywhere and especially in the race pace. It also allows us to have more strategic flexibility that last year we didn't have.
"It allows me to go forward in the races and instead of looking in my mirrors all the time to offset myself with strategy and then overtake people, which is something that last year wasn't in the cards at any point."
2024 Japanese Grand Prix results:
Winner: Max Verstappen - Red Bull Racing
Second Place: Sergio Perez - Red Bull Racing
Third Place: Carlos Sainz Jr. - Ferrari
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