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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Daniel Moxon

Carlos Sainz begs Ferrari to "be more like Red Bull" in 2023 and hails Max Verstappen

Ferrari "have to learn" from Red Bull this year in order to challenge them more convincingly next season, Carlos Sainz has declared.

The Italian team started the 2022 season strongest, with a one-two finish in Bahrain. Charles Leclerc followed that up with victory in Australia to make it two wins from three, while Max Verstappen suffered some early-season reliability problems.

But Red Bull resolved their issues quickly and were soon extracting the sort of results needed to be successful in the competitive world of Formula 1. By contrast, Ferrari began to suffer from engine troubles which, combined with their ongoing in-race strategy concerns, have scuppered their title charge.

While not yet mathematically secure, it would take an extraordinary turn of events for Verstappen and Red Bull to let their grip of both championships slip. Sainz has made peace with the fact his team is out of the running this year, but wants to make sure their title challenge is sustained for longer in 2023.

"I would like to have a steady end to the season, especially with the amount of things that have happened to us this year," he told Mundo Deportivo . "I would like to have a quiet last part of the season, with less things happening to us and to be able to get into a rhythm for next year, which will be a new opportunity."

In order to make the most of that chance, Sainz believes Ferrari have the perfect example to follow – that of Red Bull, who have shown them how it is done with their control of the championship this season. "We have a solid base from this year with a very good car and the team is making progress," the Spaniard added.

Red Bull have left Ferrari – and everyone else – in their dust this season (Getty Images)

"We have to try to improve a couple of things like reliability and consistency but we have to keep in mind that this year we have fought against a team like Red Bull that is doing things perfectly. We have to learn and be the one to do it like that next year.

"This year we would have fought for the title if we had done things a little better and had a bit of luck at the start of the season. Why not think that next year there is a new opportunity and it can be achieved? Ferrari, after the big step it has taken from last year to this one, has to set that goal."

Sainz also heaped praise upon Verstappen, whose lead in the championship is so vast he could secure the drivers' title next time out in Singapore, with five more races to go, if results go his way. "Verstappen is having a great year, but also Red Bull is not failing in anything. Neither in strategy nor in making important decisions," he admitted.

"They take penalties in races where they know they will have the strongest car. They are having a very complete season and that makes them very difficult to beat. Not unbeatable and unattainable. Every race we are going to have a chance and we are going to try."

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