Sainz expects Ferrari 'trend' to continue despite victory

Carlos Sainz believes the Ferrari 2023 "trend" of being quick in qualifying and struggling in races will continue despite his Singapore Grand Prix win.

Sainz recorded pole position, led every lap and won at Marina Bay to halt Red Bull's march of sweeping the season in terms of wins in what has otherwise been a below-par season from Ferrari.

The SF-23 has not lived up to expectations, with tyre degradation proving a season-long issue, but has shown improved performance in the last two races in Italy and Singapore - with Sainz on pole for both.

Although he claimed his first win since the 2022 British Grand Prix last time out in Singapore, Sainz does not believe that Ferrari will be able to buck the trend in the remaining seven rounds of the season.

Sainz's prediction

"I'm not sure, I mean looking at track characteristics, [none] of the tracks which are coming are anywhere close to Singapore and Monza, which are two extremes," Sainz told media including RacingNews365 in Japan.

"There are a lot of tracks that are more in the middle with high-speed long corners, and also long straights.

"There is maybe Mexico but last year in Mexico we weren't very fast, so it is impossible to tell right now as it is very, very difficult to tell which tracks are going to suit us.

"I still expect the trend of being strong in qualifying and struggling heavily in the race to always be there."

Sainz also spoke of his "pride" at being the driver to beat Red Bull, who had won 24 of 25 races since the 2022 French Grand Prix, only losing to George Russell and Mercedes in Sao Paulo between July 2022 and September 2023.

"It obviously gives me a lot of pride and the whole team being able to [end Red Bull's run] because they were at such a high level that it seemed almost impossible [to beat them]," said Sainz.

"To turn up to Singapore and do it in the way we did it a great feeling - but I wouldn't be surprised if they still win the rest of the races."