Adjustment, adaptation, acclimatization. These three words are of paramount importance to new Ferrari recruit Carlos Sainz, for he is experiencing a switch of teams in F1.

The Spaniard is now part of the pressure cooker that is Ferrari. He is arriving with some promise and expectations after a highly impressive spell at McLaren. Not to forget the big boots that he has to fill; he is replacing four-time world champion and once-Ferrari hopeful, Sebastian Vettel.

So, that may lead us to think that those part of the Italian outfit will expect him to take to this challenge like a fish to water. However, Team Principal Mattia Binotto is more generous and acknowledges the increasingly frustrating testing cuts.

“We don’t expect him to be 100 percent at the start,” remarked Mattia Binotto.

“It is clear to us that this will be a challenge, especially for Carlos. That is why we have already held test drives with old cars in Fiorano. Every kilometer in one of our cars is important for him so that he can integrate into the team and get used to our processes can.”

Carlos Sainz admits to difficulties in replicating his McLaren form at Ferrari from the start

Before coming into his own at McLaren, Sainz had a journeyman career in F1. This did not allow him to compete at his highest possible level.

He is well-aware that he is someone who needs a period of adaptability to showcase his true potential inside the cockpit of an F1 car, “If I consider my previous experience with team changes, it should be very difficult to implement.”

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But can he spring a surprise and achieve great results from the very first race in Bahrain?

The Spaniard feels it will depend on numerous factors.

“It also depends entirely on how my first feeling for the car is. How the car feels when you leave the pits, how close you can go to the limit right at the start. Finding that out will take some time. And I need it too, some time to experiment with the set-up and develop the car in my direction.”

We do hope that he eventually finds some success at Ferrari. After being bounced around as part of the Red Bull driver program, he proved himself to be worthy of a top seat with McLaren. He has got his dream opportunity, now it is up to him to grab it with both hands.

Why did Ferrari Sign Carlos Sainz?