"Today was a beautiful race.
I felt very good, even if a little stiff, physically it wasn't very easy. But I was lucky because I was able to manage the pace more or less on my own, I managed the tires independently. The race was It's tough but obviously I'm very happy and proud of the whole team."
Here are Carlos Sainz's first words from the podium after winning the Australian Grand Prix with Ferrari.
"I'm happy to have won ahead of Charles - adds the Spaniard - it shows how much work we've done. Life is really crazy: first the podium in Bahrain, then appendicitis, the return, this victory... it's really a rollercoaster, but I'm very happy. Max (Verstappen, ed.)? On the first lap I understood that I could keep up with him and use the DRS, which works very well here. Then he lost time in turns 2 and 3 and I passed him. Immediately afterwards he had brake problems.
Too bad , because it would have been a good challenge for first place. But honestly, I'm happy to take home this victory. I would still have to have surgery for appendicitis - laughs Sainz - I understood that I would win from the second lap. I realized that we were fast and could manage the tyres. Obviously there's always the risk of a red flag or a safety car, but the race went away cleanly. I was sorry about George's accident, I hope he's well."
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