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A fortnight ago, Sainz had to miss the Saudi Grand Prix with appendicitis, battling to regain fitness for the third race of the season in Melbourne.
But even though the Spaniard admitted he wasn’t physically 100%, that didn’t stop him from qualifying second behind Max Verstappen.
And when Verstappen encountered brake problems early in the race, Sainz pounced to break the Dutchman’s victory by claiming his first victory since last year’s Singapore Grand Prix, giving Ferrari a 1-2 finish ahead of Charles Leclerc .
“I felt really good there,” Sainz said. “Of course a little stiff and especially physically it wasn’t the easiest, but I was lucky enough to be more or less alone and to be able to manage my pace, manage the tires, manage everything, it wasn’t not the hardest races. of all.
“I’m very proud of the team, happy to be here in a one-two with Charles. It shows that work pays off. Life is crazy sometimes.
“What happened at the start of the year, then the podium in Bahrain, then the annex, the comeback, the victory. It’s a roller coaster, but I loved it. I’m extremely happy.”
Carlos Sainz, Ferrari SF-24, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB20, Lando Norris, McLaren MCL38
Photo by: Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images
Sainz was unaware of the extent of Verstappen’s brake problems when he overtook the Red Bull driver on lap two.
But he said he felt confident he could keep him at bay once he took the lead, as Ferrari’s race pace already looked promising earlier this weekend.
“I think from the second lap when I was in the lead,” he said when asked when he thought he could run for the win.
“With the pace I had yesterday, I knew I could achieve it, especially in clean air. Obviously the risk of a safety car and a red flag here was always on my mind. But fortunately, it was a clean race..
” Damage [for Verstappen] because I think we would have had a very good battle for P1 today. But I’m happy to get the victory. He had plenty!”
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