SAINZ WISHES TO BE WORLD CHAMP SOON

Winner of 2023 S'pore GP confident he has all the attributes to conquer Formula One

- David Lee

Twice, Carlos Sainz asked politely "Are we ready?" as The Straits Times was setting up for an interview at the Marina Bay Sands' Paiza Sky Residence on Sept 18.

The Ferrari driver is known as one of the nicest guys on the Formula One circuit, but these days he is also in a huge hurry. There is a padel game waiting for him in the evening, and this weekend, the defending champion of the Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix has a race to win.

Precision timing, physical and race management are what he counts as his strengths on the track, attributes that helped him clinch victory here in 2023, when he started from pole and pitted just once for his second career race win.

A similar strategy could work this year as he celebrates his 200th F1 start this weekend.

He said: "I know what it takes to win around here. I know all the tricks. I know everything I have to do to win, so I just need to try and repeat it.

"(The challenge is) doing a full qualifying lap and putting the lap together on one of the toughest tracks. The tyres tend to struggle a lot through the lap with the heat, and the heat is also tough for the driver. It's a long race - two hours and it takes physical fitness and concentration."