Jannik Sinner, a Ferrari fan on the Abu Dhabi GP: “We tennis gamers are as alone because the drivers. Within the automobile, I isolate myself. Did I reward myself a Ferrari? I received’t say now. Am I like Verstappen? Like him, I don’t chase data.”
He waved the checkered flag, took a lap with Leclerc in a Ferrari 296, found the secrets and techniques of the drivers, and had a blast—Jannik Sinner’s debut as a Components 1 ambassador was a memorable one.
What was it like sitting subsequent to Charles?
“An unbelievable expertise. We message one another, however we had by no means met in particular person. I had an thought of what to anticipate, as I had already pushed at Fiorano, however not with him. His management is superb.”
Subsequent time, will you be driving?
“I don’t suppose so. It’s higher if he drives…”
Have you ever organized the padel match you talked about?
“It’s actually onerous to match our schedules. However I nonetheless hope so.”
Your tennis is as quick as F1. What does velocity imply to you?
“Freedom. It means realizing your limits, respecting all the pieces, and having enjoyable. Even after I began snowboarding, I all the time tried to go as quick as attainable. And in a automobile, after all—on monitor. I really like the sound of the engine. No, I’m not scared. In the present day, I loved it.”
You drive karts when you’ll be able to.
“Final 12 months, after I was coaching in Alicante, I used to go to a monitor close by. In Monaco, I’ve enjoyable on the simulator with my good friend Antonio Giovinazzi. I really like driving after coaching—within the automobile, I isolate myself. I placed on music and drive alone.”
Do you keep in mind the primary Grand Prix you watched?
“I all the time adopted F1 as a child, however I had by no means been to a race in particular person. My first reminiscence is linked to Schumacher. When he had his snowboarding accident, it was a shock for me.”
In 2013, you have been only a child.
“Sure, however that second made me understand how life can change in a second. You possibly can’t take something with no consideration—you need to reside day-to-day and luxuriate in it with a function.”
You’ve reached your objective—changing into world No. 1. Do you’re feeling just like the Verstappen of tennis?
“I simply spoke with Max, and we have been commenting on one thing he stated. He talked about that he doesn’t chase different drivers’ data as a result of he additionally values spending time with household. We’re athletes, however we’re additionally folks—family and friends are an important issues. I attempt to do my finest in tennis; from tomorrow (at the moment, really), I’ll resume coaching in Dubai, however I share his mindset.”
How do you’re feeling?
“We’ve executed exams to find out what sort of preparation to comply with, which methods to make use of. There’s loads of sacrifice behind it. I’m solely 23, not 27 like Verstappen, and I’ve solely had one top-level season. The objective isn’t simply to win for 3 years however to nonetheless be competing at 30. This season was unbelievable, however all the pieces can change.”
If you’re Verstappen, is Carlos Alcaraz Hamilton?
“Hamilton has extra expertise, so it’s onerous to check. However on the court docket, like in a automobile, we’re alone. Nonetheless, the consistency and stability Max has proven are spectacular.”
Variations between drivers and tennis gamers?
“I don’t know the way they do it—giving interviews two minutes earlier than entering into the automobile, then placing on the helmet and going… In tennis, it’s not like that.”
Is it true that you just not too long ago purchased your self a Ferrari?
“I don’t need to say simply but.”
Purchase official Ferrari F1 merchandise!
Let different Scuderia Followers learn about us
