Sainz: Fans "can laugh as much they want" about Ferrari move
Carlos Sainz says fans making jokes about his move to Ferrari for 2021 “can laugh as much as they want” and that he finds their ideas “pretty funny”.
Current McLaren driver Sainz will join Ferrari next season after agreeing a two-year deal back in May, replacing four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel.
Ferrari is currently enduring a difficult season that sees it lie sixth in the constructors' championship, falling back from 2019 title rival Mercedes and behind the leading midfield teams.
This includes McLaren, Sainz's current team, which sits third in the standings, 32 points clear of Ferrari.
It has led to questions about Sainz's decision to leave McLaren, and a number of memes being created on social media making fun of the upcoming move.
But Sainz said he is laughing off the jokes that are put his way, and that he enjoys some of the humorous creations fans make about F1 drivers online.
"Honestly, they can laugh as much as they want," Sainz told Motorsport.com. "I think they are actually pretty funny, some of [the jokes].
"People have a lot of free time and they come up with these very funny ideas. And I actually laugh also.
"When the jokes are about me or the jokes are about the drivers, I'm the first one to laugh and I actually enjoy them.
"It doesn't mean that they are right or wrong, it's just they're funny. I guess that's what they pretend to be, so good on them."
Sainz has always stressed he feels no fear in moving to Ferrari, where he will partner two-time grand prix winner Charles Leclerc from next year.
Until the final race of the 2020 season, Sainz remains committed to helping McLaren to try and win the midfield fight for third place in the constructors' championship ahead of Racing Point and Renault.
Sainz's focus on this year is such that he is yet to find a place to live in Italy for when he moves to Ferrari, preferring to focus his energies on his current team.
"My team mainly, more than me, is trying to find a place," Sainz said. "As you know I'm still focused on my season this year.
"But as soon as the season is over and I'm thinking to next year, I will move to Italy when I find it convenient."
Related video
Previous article
Seidl: F1 doesn't need invitational races or gimmicks
Next article
COVID restrictions making new-track work harder for F1 teams
About this article
| Series | Formula 1 |
| Drivers | Carlos Sainz Jr. |
| Teams | Scuderia Ferrari |
| Author | Luke Smith |
Sebastian Vettel explains why Aston Martin
Aston Martin AMR21 Unveiling
The updates Williams hopes will lead to a point-scoring return
After producing a car which demonstrated progress but lacked the points to prove it last year, Williams starts its new era of team ownership with the FW43B, its bid to continue the climb up the Formula 1 grid in 2021
How Ferrari plans to recover from its 2020 F1 nightmare
The 2020 Formula 1 season was Ferrari's worst for 40 years as it slumped to sixth in the standings. A repeat performance will not be acceptable for the proud Italian team, which has adopted a notably pragmatic approach to forging its path back to the top
Why Aston Martin’s arrival is more than just new green livery
In the most eagerly anticipated Formula 1 team launch of the season, the rebranded Aston Martin squad’s changes go much further than the striking paint job. But rather than a restart, the team hopes to build on top of solid foundations.
The car Aston Martin begins its new F1 journey with
The team formerly known as Racing Point gambled successfully on a Mercedes look-alike in 2020 as it mounted a strong challenge for third in the constructors' race and won the Sakhir GP. Now clothed in British racing green, Aston Martin's first Formula 1 challenger since 1960 provides the clearest indicator yet of what to expect from the new-for-2021 regulations
The tricky driver conundrums facing Mercedes in F1 2021
Ahead of the new Formula 1 season, reigning world champions Mercedes will take on challenges both old and new. This also can be said for its driver conundrum which could become key to sustaining its ongoing success...
How Alpine's cure to 2021 F1 rules starts at the front
A new name, new faces and new colours pulls the rebranded Alpine Formula 1 team into a new era while carrying over core elements of its 2020 car. But under the surface there's more than meets the eye with the A521 which hints at how the team will tackle 2021...
Can Mercedes' W12 retain the team's crown?
Replacing Formula 1's fastest car was never going to be an easy feat for Mercedes. Amid the technical rule tweaks to peg back the W12 and its 2021 rivals, the new Mercedes challenger will remain the target to beat
The pointed note that starts Ferrari's Leclerc vs Sainz era
Ferrari is starting its post-Sebastian Vettel age by welcoming Carlos Sainz in alongside Charles Leclerc. But while Sainz has a tough challenge to match his new teammate, Ferrari is also sending a message that previous intra-team spats must end
