Carlos Sainz makes Ferrari F1 debut at Fiorano test
Carlos Sainz has turned in his first Formula 1 laps for Ferrari in his testing debut for the Italian outfit at Fiorano on Wednesday morning.
The Spaniard is getting his first experience of driving for his new team following his switch from McLaren in a 2018-spec SF71H at the Scuderia-owned track as part of a five-day private test.
Sainz was at Fiorano on Tuesday as he watched new Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc get his first laps of 2021 as the Monegasque returned to action having recovered from contracting COVID-19 earlier this year.
The test will prove invaluable for Sainz with pre-season testing for the upcoming campaign limited to just three days as he looks to get up to speed with his new team.
Because Ferrari’s 2018 car is more than two years old, Sainz and Ferrari can carry out as much running as they like with no restrictions.
Good morning like this
— Scuderia Ferrari (@ScuderiaFerrari) January 27, 2021
Benvenuto Carlos @Carlossainz55 #essereFerrari pic.twitter.com/q51iJojZd4
After completing his programme on Wednesday, Sainz will get back behind the wheel of the SF71H on Thursday morning to continue his familiarisation process and rack up some further important mileage.
Sainz will then be handing over test duties to reigning Formula 2 champion Mick Schumacher, who will conduct running in the afternoon.
Ahead of his F1 debut with Haas this year, Schumacher will drive once again on Friday morning, before Ferrari test driver Callum Ilott takes over in the afternoon to round out the five-day test at Fiorano.
The test features seven Ferrari-backed drivers in total and was kicked off on Monday with Giuliano Alesi and Marcus Armstrong getting their first taste of driving Ferrari F1 machinery, while F2 racer Robert Shwartzman was also in action.
