Carlos Sainz has admitted that he is relishing the podiums he achieves with Ferrari in the 2024 Formula 1 season as he doesn’t expect to be in that position next term.
Sainz capitalised on Max Verstappen and Lando Norris’ clash with seven laps to go in the Austrian Grand Prix to make his fifth appearance on the podium this season.
The Spaniard, who won in Australia in March, is weighing up which side to continue in the sport with amid Ferrari’s choice to replace him with Lewis Hamilton in 2025.
With Red Bull renewing Sergio Perez and Mercedes not considering his signature, Sainz has been resigned to investing in a long-term venture down the pecking order.
Having acknowledged that he is not in line to be competing at the front next season, Sainz admitted that he has become even more appreciative of standalone results.
Asked whether he was aiming to beat Ferrari team-mate Charles Leclerc in the standings this term, Sainz answered: I feel like you guys look a lot at this championship.
“Obviously, since I missed the race in Jeddah, I am trying not to focus on the championship standings because I’m competing with these guys having done a race less.
“I’m focusing more on trying to get the podiums, trying to get the wins, trying to get the highlights rather than on the championship because it’s not easy to compete against the best guys in the world, going up against them with one race less in the season. But yes, so far, I think I’ve done five podiums out of ten races, one race win. It’s a very good statistic.
“I think I’m driving well this year. And yeah, I’m focusing on enjoying the opportunities that I have this year to fight for podiums that I might not have them next year.
“So I’m going to give everything and enjoy these opportunities and these moments like today in the podium.”
Sainz was understood to be closing on a move to Williams over the Sauber/Audi bid, but Alpine entering the mix has complicated matters and extended an outcome.
That has prompted rumours that the Grove-based squad is opening talks with other candidates, but Sainz has stressed that he won’t be rushed into making a choice.
“As I said before, for sure that pressure, I’m not going to receive it on a Sunday afternoon after a podium where I’m keen to enjoy it,” he explained.
“As I said before, I think it’s sometimes, like George was saying, we take it for granted when we’re in one of these podiums celebrating, wearing a Ferrari suit.
“And yeah, I was thinking to try to enjoy this moment, because who knows when it’s going to be the next time in the future.
“And also, as much as maybe there are some teams that are nervous or pressuring me, it’s time for me also to enjoy this moment of being on a podium.
“I’m going to be honest with and straightforward with the teams. But it’s such an important decision for me also that I’m going to take all the time that I need to take it.
“And if there’s teams that cannot wait or are a bit impatient, yeah, I cannot do anything about it.
“It’s going to be my future, my decision, and I’m going to try and be as honest as possible with everyone and give myself the time that I need.”
