Sainz: "Quite different" feeling of 2022 F1 cars an open secret among drivers
Carlos Sainz Jr says it is an open secret among Formula 1 drivers that the 2022 cars are behaving ‘quite different’ in simulators compared to the current models.

F1 teams are still working on the designs of cars built to next year’s all-new regulations, but have already put models in to their simulators.
McLaren ace Lando Norris prompted some intrigue recently when he suggested that the 2022 version he had initially run was ‘not as nice’ to drive as current machinery.
Ferrari driver Sainz has had a lot of running in the 2022 car at his team’s Maranello simulator, and he says that Norris’ perception of next year’s feel was not unique.
Asked by Motorsport.com if he shared Norris’ views on the 2022 car, he said: “This is the million dollar question that there is around the paddock.
“We know how our car feels, and between drivers we are like, ‘how does yours feel?’
“I think there starts to be a tendency in the paddock, and the drivers, that we are all going in the direction of: ‘wow, this is quite different and quite far from where we are, and from how the car feels now.”
The 2022 cars take away much of the current reliance on downforce generated by aerodynamic flow over the car – and instead they rely much more on ground effect.
That means that how the car handles, especially in corners, will have a very different feel inside the cockpit.
Sainz added: “It is going to be a big change, and maybe we are, between each other, kind of starting to accept that this is going to be quite a change.

Carlos Sainz Jr., Ferrari with 2022 18-inch Pirelli Zero
Photo by: Pirelli
“And the rumour around the paddock is really starting to go quite in that direction: without having to tell you anything basically [about the car], because I cannot talk about it.”
Sainz says that he has been working on the 2022 simulation models since the start of this year, and is clear that Ferrari is throwing everything at the project.
“I've been driving it since January or February and I've been on top of that car a few times this year,” he explained. “The last session was last week.
“Also after every Pirelli test that we've done this year with the tyres, we've tried to go back and check the tyre model, and tried to put it on the car.
Read Also:
“There's a lot of work being done on this 2022 project, the whole factory is working as much as they can. It is flat out and we see it at Ferrari as a good opportunity.
“Will we be able to win or not? This is a different question. But the will and hours and intention for sure is not lacking.
“And obviously from the driver side neither, because I've been on top of that car in the sim a few times already.”

Vettel to get US GP grid drop as Aston Martin changes F1 engine
Norris glad to influence young fans after F1 survey result

Latest news
Tony Stewart again joins NASCAR broadcast team for Daytona 500, Clash
Tony Stewart will once again join the FOX Sports broadcast team for the season-opening Daytona 500, as well as The Clash at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
Helio Castroneves rules out 2023 Daytona 500 NASCAR bid
During a media availability ahead of the Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona, Helio Castroneves confirmed that he will not attempt to run the 2023 Daytona 500.
Reaume Brothers NASCAR shop suffers 'significant' fire damage
The Reaume Brothers Racing shop in Mooresville, N.C., sustained “significant” damage in a fire Thursday morning and three people were treated for injuries.
Rolex 24: WTR Acura tops much-interrupted FP1 at Daytona
Five red flags disrupted the first practice session of race week for the 61st running of the Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona, with Filipe Albuquerque putting the Wayne Taylor Racing Andretti Autosport Acura on top.
The crucial tech changes F1 teams must adapt to in 2023
Changes to the regulations for season two of Formula 1's ground-effects era aim to smooth out last year’s troubles and shut down loopholes. But what areas have been targeted, and what impact will this have?
Are these the 50 quickest drivers in F1 history?
Who are the quickest drivers in Formula 1 history? Luke Smith asked a jury of experienced and international panel of experts and F1 insiders. Some of them have worked closely with F1’s fastest-ever drivers – so who better to vote on our all-time top 50? We’re talking all-out speed here rather than size of trophy cabinet, so the results may surprise you…
One easy way the FIA could instantly improve F1
OPINION: During what is traditionally a very quiet time of year in the Formula 1 news cycle, FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has been generating headlines. He’s been commenting on massive topics in a championship that loves them, but also addressing necessary smaller changes too. Here we suggest a further refinement that would be a big boon to fans
How can McLaren keep hold of Norris?
Lando Norris is no longer the young cheeky-chappy at McLaren; he’s now the established ace. And F1's big guns will come calling if the team can’t give him a competitive car. Here's what the team needs to do to retain its prize asset
What difference did F1's fastest pitstops of 2022 make?
While a quick pitstop can make all the difference to the outcome of a Formula 1 race, most team managers say consistency is more important than pure speed. MATT KEW analyses the fastest pitstops from last season to see which ones – if any – made a genuine impact
When F1 'holiday' races kept drivers busy through the winter
Modern Formula 1 fans have grown accustomed to a lull in racing during winter in the northern hemisphere. But, as MAURICE HAMILTON explains, there was a time when teams headed south of the equator rather than bunkering down in the factory. And why not? There was fun to be had, money to be made and reputations to forge…
What Porsche social media frenzy says about F1’s manufacturer allure
Porsche whipped up a frenzy thanks to a cryptic social media post last week, and though it turned out to be a false alarm, it also highlighted more just why manufacturers remain such an important element in terms of the attraction that they bring to F1. It is little wonder that several other manufacturers are bidding for a slice of the action.
Why new Williams F1 boss shouldn't avoid 'Mercedes B-team' comparisons
OPINION: Williams has moved to replace the departed Jost Capito by appointing former Mercedes chief strategist James Vowles as its new team principal. But while he has sought to play down the idea of moulding his new squad into a vision of his old one, some overlap is only to be expected and perhaps shouldn't be shied away from
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.