Carlos Sainz says it is “too early” to tell if he will regret his decision to switch from McLaren to Ferrari for the 2021 Formula 1 season.
With Ferrari opting not to renew Sebastian Vettel’s contract, a vacancy at the Scuderia opened up and they decided to poach Sainz to race alongside Charles Leclerc.
However Ferrari has suffered a major downturn in performance and currently finds itself in the middle of the midfield, let alone leading it, and sits a lowly fifth in the Constructors’ Standings.
Meanwhile McLaren holds a comfortable second place after two races and has moved to the head of the midfield.
Sainz though says it is far too early to tell whether he would have been better off staying with McLaren, insisting the F1 pecking order can change dramatically between seasons.
“Many people are asking me this question, if I am extremely worried or regretting my decision or anything,” said the Spaniard.
“I feel like it is not a real question to be answered right now. I think it is way too early in the season.
“We all need to be a bit patient. I think you’ve clearly seen how much a car can change from one year to another – how much Racing Point can change from last year to this year, how much Ferrari can change from last year to this year.
“The good thing about Formula 1 is that this never stops, and that I’m not worried about it happening now because in a year [it could be different].”
Sainz isn’t getting wrapped up in the performance of his future team and insists he is wholly focussed on doing the best for McLaren.
“In 365 days, everything could change. That’s why I’m focusing on the present on my time at McLaren.
“I said it 100 times in interviews that my main goal this year is to do as best I can for McLaren and not focus on what is going on in Ferrari.
“Then as soon as this season is over, I will have time to go into Ferrari and focus on that and see how we can make next season better than this one.”
