Hor having forged a close working relationship with Ferrari’s fuel and lubricants partner Shell since joining the squad in 2021, his understanding of the complexities behind what powers his engines has grown considerably.
So, as we sit chatting inside the Shell track lab that is housed inside the Ferrari garage at every F1 race on the calendar, he is quick to respond as I enquire about whether or not it is true a driver can be identified just from the chemical composition of an oil sample from his engine.
“That's a myth,” he laughs. “We are actually driving within a tenth of a second of each other. So, to actually find any differences on fuel or oil, or how you treat that engine from driving, is not something that you can do.
“But we do have difference in consumption Charles [Leclerc] and I, because of my driving style.
“Normally for a race, maybe I need half a kilo to a kilo less fuel than him because of my driving style. But I don't think my driving style affects the condition of the fuel after the race.”
While such tiny fuel details can be important in an F1 world where marginal gains are the name of the game, it’s not the here and now that has especially grabbed Sainz’s attention.
Instead, it’s F1’s looming move towards fully sustainable fuel – and the potential impact that will have on car performance – that Sainz is paying more attention to.
Source: Autosport