Carlos Sainz — 2021 season

Carlos Sainz's inaugural season with Scuderia Ferrari in 2021 was a demonstration of adaptability and consistency, culminating in a fifth-place finish in the Drivers' Championship, a notable achievement for a driver new to Maranello.

Going in

Sainz arrived at Ferrari from McLaren, stepping into one of Formula 1's most scrutinized seats. The Scuderia was aiming to rebound from a challenging 2020 campaign, where their power unit performance had significantly hampered their competitiveness. The 2021 season, still within the V6 turbo-hybrid era, saw Mercedes and Red Bull locked in a championship battle, leaving Ferrari to contend in the midfield. Sainz's task was clear: integrate quickly, contribute to the team's development, and consistently score points alongside teammate Charles Leclerc. The expectation was for Ferrari to challenge McLaren for third in the Constructors' Championship, a goal that required both drivers to perform reliably.

How it played out

Sainz's season was characterized by remarkable consistency and a rapid adaptation to the SF21 chassis. He finished all 22 races, a record of reliability that underscored his car management skills. While his early races saw him finding his feet, with an 8th in Bahrain and 5th at Imola, it was at the Monaco Grand Prix where he truly announced his arrival, securing his first Ferrari podium with a second-place finish. This performance was a significant boost, especially after teammate Leclerc's pole position ended in a pre-race DNF. Sainz continued to build momentum, often demonstrating strong race pace and strategic acumen. His ability to maintain a high level of performance across diverse circuits, from the high-speed demands of Monza to the technical challenges of Zandvoort, was a hallmark of his year. He consistently brought the car home in the points, contributing vital championship points to Ferrari's effort to secure third place in the Constructors' standings, ultimately succeeding over McLaren.

Defining moments

Sainz's 2021 campaign featured four podium finishes, each highlighting different facets of his driving. Beyond the Monaco Grand Prix, the Hungarian Grand Prix saw him navigate a chaotic opening lap and a red flag restart to secure a third-place finish, demonstrating opportunistic race craft. Later in the season, at the Russian Grand Prix, Sainz started from second on the grid and briefly led the race, ultimately converting a strong performance into another third place despite changing weather conditions. His final podium of the year came at the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, where a third-place finish cemented his fifth position in the Drivers' Championship with 164.5 points, notably ahead of his teammate Charles Leclerc, who finished seventh with 159 points. This consistent points scoring and podium tally, despite Ferrari not having a race-winning car, showcased his capability to extract maximum performance and capitalize on opportunities.