For those with any lingering doubts about the competitiveness of Formula One over the past few years, the first half of the 2024 season served up plenty of rebuttals. Now, as the teams (and drivers) take a well-deserved month off from the sport’s intense schedule, we caught up with Scuderia Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz Jr, to find out how the seasons has gone so far and what he’s getting up to on his down time…
Esquire Middle East: The season got off to a flying start. How do you feel that it has gone for you so far?
Carlos Sainz Jr: In terms of track performance, I´m happy with how we started the season and with how the team is operating so far. Winning in Australia, specially after undergoing surgery to remove my appendix the week before, is certainly the highlight. Overall, we are improving at a good pace but our main competitors are also pushing, so we need to keep focused and going at it week in and week out.
ESQ: How would you explain what winning a Grand Prix feel like, to a mere mortal?
CS: It´s extremely difficult to put it into words. You have to think that everything I do in my life at the moment is directly or indirectly focused on trying to win every single race. What I eat, how I train my body and my mind, how I rest, how I interact with the team, with my mechanics, with the engineers, with sponsors, etc. everything has a potential impact on bringing you closer to that goal of eventually winning a race. Therefore, when you achieve it, the feeling is difficult to explain. I would say it´s a mix of joy, excitement, accomplishment and the motivation to chase that feeling over and over again.
Every time I have won a race what immediately echoes in my head is “Now let´s win the next one as soon as possible”. I go into every single race weekend thinking I can win the race on Sunday. There is no other mentality possible in this sport if you want to be successful, even if you are not driving the most competitive car on the grid.
ESQ: The summer break is finally here, where do you normally go on your holiday?
CS: The Formula One schedule can be pretty gruelling as we are travelling around so much, so when it comes to the summer break [in August], I make it a priority to spend time with friends and family. To be honest, the location is less important to me as long as I’m with them, although I prefer to be next to the sea!
ESQ: So when you’re at this sea-side location are you chilling and relaxing, or do you prefer to keep active?
CS: I’m an outdoors guy, and I love playing and practicing many different sports, so staying still for long periods of time is not really an option with me! If I was to break it down, I would say that I’m 80:20 on the side of staying active.
ESQ: Where was the last place you went on holiday?
CS: I’ve been to some cool places over the last few years. Recently I took some time off in the Dolomites, in the mountains in northern Italy. It is beautiful over there, and you can cycle and go on some pretty great hikes.
ESQ: Are you an over-packer or under-packer?
CS: Definitely an over-packer! That way I spend less time thinking about what I need to take. Just put everything in and am ready to go!
ESQ: What are three things that you always pack when you travel?
CS: Headphones, an athletic elastic band that I can use to help me stretch, and my passport.
ESQ: Headphones wise, are you an ‘in-ear’ or ‘over-ear’ guy?
CS: I’m more of an over-ear headphones guy.
ESQ: What are the last three songs, you recently streamed on Spotify or Apple Music?
CS: I don´t have my phone right now to check, but I listen to a lot of Latin music, as well as some pop-rock. Occasionally I’ll go for some electronic music but only in certain moments!
ESQ: With the growing publicity of Formula One over recent seasons a lot more is expected of the drivers. Have you noticed a change in the sport before and after?
CS: I agree that F1 has become more popular in recent years, especially among the younger generations, which is absolutely great to see and experience. For me it doesn´t translate into more pressure, on the contrary, I take it as a motivation to engage with more and more people and share with them my passion for racing. The positive vibes that I get from the fans is something unique and you always want to put a good show on track for them. It is our way of thanking them for the tremendous support we receive worldwide.