Podcast
F1 NATION: Previewing a 'crucial' Imola Sprint and Grand Prix as Sainz aims to bounce back
Share
Ferrari's home race is a chance for them to consolidate their leads at the top of both championships with Charles Leclerc in the ascendancy – but is team mate Carlos Sainz already at a career-defining point?
That's what special guest Davide Valsecchi reckons in this week's episode of F1 Nation, the GP2 champion and broadcaster joining Tom Clarkson, Natalie Pinkham and Damon Hill before this weekend's Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola.
Valsecchi talks about Sainz's big chance, the Spaniard having retired from the last round in Australia.
"It's very complicated, his condition right now. Because he knows that he has a great chance to win this championship because the car is quick enough to give him the chance...
"But – the trouble is that he has by his side someone that is probably more talented than him. So he knows also that he needs to rush, and to be quick, to take victories and to take leadership of the championship," says Valsecchi.
This feature is currently not available because you need to provide consent to functional cookies. Please update your
"Knowing Ferrari, you know that we are famous to do strategy and to choose the driver and to give all the energy only to one driver. So I think it's crucial, the timing for Sainz and he was not so lucky last weekend; he made some mistakes that at the end cost him a lot because he retired from the race.
"So it's not his best moment, but it's the most important time of his life and his career, so he needs to speed up and to be on top. If not, he's going to lose the chance."
The team also chat Red Bull, Mercedes, McLaren, AlphaTauri and Alpine ahead of Imola – and the return of the F1 Sprint.
Listen to the latest episode of F1 Nation in the podcast player above or via your preferred provider.
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE
Feature From infamous title deciders to home race heartbreaks – 7 of the most dramatic disqualifications in F1 history
News ‘He’s not become the worst driver in two races’ – Ex-Red Bull junior Alguersuari sympathises with Lawson after Racing Bulls demotion
Feature ANALYSIS: Why Red Bull decided swift action was needed as Tsunoda is promoted in place of Lawson
Video WATCH: Lawson out, Tsunoda in – Laura Winter and Lawrence Barretto discuss Red Bull’s driver call
