Sainz criticises 2021 pre-season test schedule ahead of Ferrari debut

Carlos Sainz has criticised the lack of preparation he will have ahead of his Ferrari debut next season.

In part due to the cramped nature of this season, and also because of the carryover of this year's car into next year, Formula 1 has decided there will be just one three-day pre-season test going into the 2021 campaign.

In switching teams from McLaren to the Scuderia, it means Sainz will have just a day and a half of running to acclimatise to the new Ferrari, resulting in the likelihood of the Spaniard conducting a test in a two-year-old car, as is permitted in the regulations.

"We will see. That's my answer at the moment," said Sainz.

"Once I leave McLaren to be a Ferrari driver there will be a lot of thinking behind the scenes to ensure I arrive at the test and the first race as prepared as possible, and that [a test in a 2018 car] could be an option.

"But I remain committed to McLaren and I don't want to get distracted too much by what January, February and March will bring.

"I can already tell you that a day and a half in these complex Formula 1 cars is not enough to prepare for a season. You don't get to know the tricks of the car, the steering wheel, even though you do a lot of simulator work.

"To get to know the crew in a day and a half is very little, and probably not enough. It is what it is, we will have to adapt and we will need to make sure we are as prepared as possible within the limits of a day and a half."

Despite that, Sainz has at least confirmed to being "very encouraged" by Ferrari's recent upturn in form that has resulted in the team thrusting its way into the fight for third place in the constructors' championship.

"It's been a good few months for them," added Sainz.

"They've demonstrated that they've probably found the issues they had at the beginning of the year. They were not happy about it, but they've shown good character to turn around a difficult season.

"I'm encouraged to see that and I can't wait to find out what they've changed. But three races left with McLaren and plenty still to do here."

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