Ayrton Senna is probably the greatest driver to ever grace the storied rostrum of Formula 1. The three World Titles he amassed with McLaren in the late 80s and the early 90s are just the tip of the iceberg. Now imagine being compared to the man, the legend himself, while not being in the same sport. Well, Carlos Sainz did just that for his countryman. No, it’s not Fernando Alonso. And Lewis Hamilton would be miffed too, as he has undeniably and publicly idolized the Brazilian.

Instead, Moto GP legend, and 8x champ, Marc Márquez was on the receiving end of such a compliment. Senna’s entire career was epitomized by high speed, risk-taking, and making the car dance. And arguably, no one has since driven the same way in this sport. But according to Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz, only one man is capable of replicating that.

He told Motorsport.com, “Márquez would be Ayrton Senna in Formula 1. I have no doubt about it.”

“Marc [Márquez] is the only one I’ve seen do impossible things like Senna did in the high-speed grands prix.”

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Even though he’s paid the ultimate compliment to Márquez, Sainz himself has full confidence in his own abilities. However, when it comes to the Ferrari car he’s driving, he’s not so forthcoming with the praise.

Carlos Sainz delivers the ultimate season review of his 2022

At the start of 2022, it seemed as though Ferrari were going to run away with the title. However, it all unraveled since Imola. At the end, it was a comfortable victory for Max Verstappen and Red Bull, in a year, where Verstappen and the RB18 broke a myriad of records. But for Sainz, Ferrari’s loss wasn’t down to his driving abilities.

In the same interview, he said, “I know how to drive. It’s instinctive. I don’t think about my driving anymore. And you can see the times come much easier. I’m back to a level where I should have been at the beginning of the year.”

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“Now I am at this level, our car is not necessarily as good. This season has been a nightmare, to tell you the truth, because of all this – all the retirements, I was slow when the car was fast, and now I’m fast but we are not as fast as before. Nothing is right!”

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If Sainz is correct in his appraisal, all Ferrari need to do is get their 2023 challenger in the right reliability and performance window. But if that’s the case, can Sainz mount a fight for the 2023 title?