Carlos Sainz says Ferrari’s focus on race performance assisted his one-lap speed in Australia, believing a top-three result was possible.
Ferrari has endured a low-key start to the 2023 campaign, with the team in particular struggling for race pace, an aspect the squad has focused on ahead of Sunday’s grand prix in Melbourne.
Sainz went on to qualify fifth and was buoyed by the speed of the SF-23 despite the shifted focus to the car’s race performance.
“I think we’ve done some good progress with my feeling with the car,” said Sainz.
“We’ve changed quite a lot the set-up up and down from yesterday, trying to improve it mainly from the race, but actually the changes have made me feel a bit better also over one lap.
“Unfortunately we couldn’t prove it today because I lost a couple of tenths in sector one in that final lap.
“That cost me a top three that would have maybe been a boost of a motivation for me and the team.
“But we missed it due to a very poor preparation lap. They told me there were people coming on a fast lap. Some of them were, some not. I cooled down the tyres and it cost me a lot in turn one.”
Sainz explained that “obviously I cannot go into detail” regarding the SF-23’s changes but outlined that “we took a different approach this weekend trying to improve the race pace.
“I’ve no idea if we have done it or not, because the real test comes tomorrow.
“We’ve definitely changed the car on the set-up, and I hope that it will pay. I’m hoping that it will pay tomorrow, but I need I need to wait until tomorrow.”
