F1: Carlos Sainz targets Mexican GP win amid Ferrari momentum

Reflecting on Ferrari’s recent performance, Sainz expressed optimism, saying, “I hope we can keep this positive momentum and fight for victory again in Mexico, a circuit I enjoy and where we’ve traditionally performed well. It’s promising to keep building on this form,” he added during a Thursday press session.

In celebrating Fernando Alonso’s milestone of 400 Grands Prix, Sainz couldn’t help but compare it to his own journey, reaching 200 races.

“It makes me realise how much 400 races mean; I wish Fernando an enjoyable race and hope he continues at his high level because he’s still driving brilliantly,” Sainz said, paying tribute to his childhood hero.

As Ferrari aim to sustain their competitive edge, Sainz was encouraged by the team’s Austin performance, though he remains realistic. “Austin showed that when we get it right, we’re very competitive. That’s our goal for Mexico, but I’m aware the grid is so tight that even a tenth of a second could be the difference. We’ll see, but I’m hopeful,” he remarked.

Addressing the debate over track limits and penalties that affected drivers like Max Verstappen and Lando Norris, Sainz called for clarity.

“Both cars should aim to stay on the track; when they don’t, we need to identify responsibility. The rules today make it difficult, so it’s essential we work with the FIA to understand how we reached these decisions,” he concluded.

The 2024 Mexican Grand Prix, covering 71 laps of the 4.304-kilometre Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, takes place on Sunday, October 27. The race outcome will be known shortly after the flag drops.