Sainz not expecting much from Ferrari in 2021

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Carlos Sainz McLaren

Carlos Sainz doesn’t expect Ferrari to improve next season, and foresees another year of Mercedes dominance at the top.

Before this season started, the Spaniard was signed by the Italian team to replace Sebastian Vettel at the end of it.

Since the first race, however, it’s become apparent that this year’s Ferrari is the worst in quite some time.

It’s not getting anywhere near Mercedes at the top and is instead closer to the likes of Racing Point, McLaren and Renault in the midfield.

With all of the teams unable to change much on their cars for next year, Sainz doubts Mercedes will be challenged until 2022.

“You don’t have to be a genius to see that Formula 1 is being dominated by Mercedes,” he told El Mundo Deportivo.

“Right now it’s difficult for everyone, whether it’s Ferrari, Red Bull, McLaren, Renault or Racing Point to fight for the world championship with the dominance of this year. And in 2021, the cars will be practically the same.

“It’s just common sense that until 2022 it will be very difficult to beat Mercedes.”

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Carlos Sainz hit out at Romain Grosjean after the British Grand Prix

This year’s Mercedes is arguably the sport’s quickest car ever, while the machines built by the other nine teams are also far quicker than they were a few years ago.

Sainz feels that the true speed of them isn’t reflected well enough of TV, and therefore doesn’t think that the evolution of them is appreciated enough.

“I have experienced the evolution of the cars from 2015 to 2020 and it’s almost ten seconds,” he added.

“They are so much faster and as a driver, you can feel the G-force and the pounding on your brain and your body.

“It bothers me that it doesn’t seem like that on TV. I can assure you there is nothing like this year’s cars. We are 3 or 4 seconds faster than the golden era of 2004 and 2005, but you see it on TV and it doesn’t seem like that.

“The Mercedes is beautiful, a work of art and the fastest car in F1 history but it’s not appreciated enough because on TV it doesn’t seem like we are going so fast.”

While Ferrari falters, McLaren is looking better than they have since their Mercedes days. They’re currently above their Italian rivals in the standings and, with a Mercedes engine coming next season, could widen that gap further.

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