After Friday, March 22, 2024,’s first practice session of the Australian Formula One Grand Prix at Albert Park in Melbourne, Australia, Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz, left, of Spain, speaks with a teammate. (Asanka Brendon Ratnayake
On Friday, March 22, 2024, at Albert Park in Melbourne, Australia, during the first practice session of the Australian Formula One Grand Prix, Spanish driver Carlos Sainz of Ferrari controls his vehicle. Following Friday, March 22, 2024, at Albert Park in Melbourne, Australia, during the first practice session of the Australian Formula One Grand Prix, Spanish driver Carlos Sainz of Ferrari reacts. Asanka Brendon Ratnayake
On Friday, March 22, 2024, at Albert Park in Melbourne, Australia, during the first practice session of the Australian Formula One Grand Prix, Spanish driver Carlos Sainz of Ferrari waits in his vehicle. Brendon Ratnayake Asanka)
On Friday, March 22, 2024, at Albert Park in Melbourne, Australia, during the first practice session of the Australian Formula One Grand Prix, Spanish driver Carlos Sainz of Ferrari drives out of pit lane.Brendon Ratnayake Asanka)
On Friday, March 22, 2024, at Albert Park in Melbourne, Australia, during the first practice session of the Australian Formula One Grand Prix, Spanish driver Carlos Sainz of Ferrari controls his vehicle.
Friday, March 22, 2024, at Albert Park in Melbourne, Australia, during the second practice session of the Australian Formula One Grand Prix, Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz of Spain guides his car out of pit lane.
(AP) — MELBOURNE, Australia Carlos Sainz of Ferrari turns out that he didn’t have to “raise his hand” and give up his position to another driver during the first two practice sessions of the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix on Sunday.
On Friday at the Albert Park circuit, Sainz started the first session seventh fastest and finished third.
Sainz claimed earlier in the week that he was prepared to be back in the driver’s seat, but he wasn’t quite well following appendix surgery, which kept him out of the Saudi Arabian race on March 10.
“To be honest, I’m extremely glad that I could complete both sessions with acceptable comfort. It’s been a couple of tough weeks leading up to today,” Sainz said. He added that he will go cautiously in order to qualify for the race on Saturday and Sunday “in the best form possible.”
“I’m optimistic that tomorrow will be better and that the car will perform well this weekend overall. We’ll strive to get the most out of both the body and the machine!
The 29-year-old Sainz placed third in the Bahrain GP, the first race of the season, behind Max Verstappen of Red Bull and Sergio Perez.
Sainz has 19 podium places, two Formula One wins (in the Singapore Grand Prix in 2023 and the British Grand Prix in 2022). The 2015 Australian Grand Prix was his maiden Formula One race.
