P1racenews AI automatic summary:
The Ferrari driver secured a podium in the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix.
Carlos Sainz admitted he was pleasantly surprised by his pace compared to Red Bull’s Sergio Perez at the Bahrain Grand Prix, where he finished third. Despite finishing 25 seconds behind race-winner Max Verstappen, Sainz was pleased with his performance, overtaking George Russell and Charles Leclerc to secure a spot on the podium. Sainz expressed satisfaction with how he managed his tires and felt good throughout the race. He acknowledged that while they are making progress compared to last year, there is still work to do to reach their desired level. Sainz was hopeful that their strategy with the Hard tires would pay off, as they provide better stability and less degradation. He noted the strategic differences between Ferrari and Red Bull, highlighting the flexibility and unpredictability of Formula 1.
