Sainz savours victory after 'rollercoaster' start to season / Photo: Martin KEEP - AFP
-
Designing a Tour de France route: a three-year labour of love
-
New Zealand may miss climate targets due to government policies: report
-
Chelsea sign Rogers from Villa for reported UK record fee
-
Hormuz, Malacca and other key straits spawn tensions throughout history
-
'The Dink' sees comedy in US pickleball craze
-
At least 53 dead in Guyana capsized ferry disaster
-
Rainout keeps Red Sox MLB win streak at 14 with two games Wednesday
-
Colombia to host office of Trump's anti-cartel alliance: president-elect
-
Zelensky sacks army chief Syrsky after days of protests
-
Trump says US 'not finished' as Iran widens attacks
-
Messi lands in Argentine hometown after World Cup defeat
-
Panthers lose Moton to blood clot as NFL camps open
-
Lipowitz breaks collarbone in Tour de France crash
-
LPGA launches Nanea Cup event next March in Hawaii
-
India opposition leader Gandhi detained after calling for PM resignation
-
Tropical Storm Bertha spreads across northwestern Florida
-
AI boom lifts Mexico tech exports, complicating Trump trade goals
-
At least 41 dead in Guyana capsized ferry disaster
-
'Godzilla' actress Kaylee Hottle, 18, dies in US car crash
-
Pogacar fired up by losing twice to Evenepoel at Tour de France
-
South Africa's anti-migrant unrest led over 160,000 to flee
-
Trump vows to help Lebanon pursue peace with Israel
-
Ipswich sign Ghana winger Fatawu from Leicester
-
Liverpool in talks with Bhatia consortium over minority investment
-
Evenepoel wins 'special' Tour de France individual time-trial
-
French senators back social media ban for under-15s
-
Evenepoel wins Tour de France individual time-trial
-
Premier League referee Taylor retires, bemoans 'constant scrutiny'
-
Tropical Storm Bertha strengthens, threatening Gulf coast of US
-
China ally Solomon Islands invites US Coast Guard patrols
-
Microsoft strikes deal for Mistral's AI computing power
-
US readies new tariffs as Trump's 10% global levy to expire
-
Dutch students unveil 'world-first' solar-powered ambulance
-
Airbus pushes ahead with future single-aisle jet, hydrogen plane
-
French lawmakers set to ban social media for under-15s in European first
-
Stocks rise despite climbing oil prices
-
UK PM Burnham unveils energy tax cut, tells ministers to cut living costs
-
UNAIDS chief calls for 'radical change' in Africa amid aid cuts
-
Pharma heavyweights clash over anti-obesity drug ads
-
EU cancels subsidy to Venice Biennale over Russia presence
-
Hungary raids Orban's Fidesz party servers in graft probe
-
Heavy rain dampens search for dozens missing in Afghanistan flood
-
General Motors lifts 2026 outlook despite hit from electric retreat
-
Argentina represented themselves in 'best possible way' at World Cup: Fernandez
-
Uproar in France over reintroduction of bee-harming pesticides
-
Philippines, China summon ambassadors over clash in disputed waters
-
Kuwaitis ration electricity as Iran hits power grid
-
'White elephant': Colombia's anti-corruption activist turned senator
-
Former Man Utd boss Ferguson salutes old rival Keegan
-
Stock markets, oil prices climb
Sainz savours victory after 'rollercoaster' start to season
Carlos Sainz said he was savouring the moment Sunday after a "rollercoaster" start to the season culminated in a fighting victory at the Australian Grand Prix.
The 29-year-old Spaniard started the year being informed he had been dumped by Ferrari to make way for Lewis Hamilton next season, leaving him without a drive in 2025.
He responded with a podium place in the opening race of the year in Bahrain before being struck down with appendicitis ahead of Saudi Arabia.
Surgery and a bed-ridden week later, he pulled off a remarkable win in Melbourne after many doubted he should even be in the car so soon.
"It's not only the last two weeks. It's the whole start to the year in general, how the year started with the news of the non-renewal," said Sainz, reflecting on a whirlwind 2024.
"Then you get yourself fit. You get yourself ready for the start of the season, pushing flat out.
"And then you get to Bahrain. You do a good podium. You say, 'OK, now the season is starting well and I can keep the momentum going'.
"And suddenly, boom, you're missing a race in Jeddah and the operation."
Sainz said he was unsure whether he could recover in time to be back in the cockpit just two weeks later.
But he was determined to try and followed a strict recovery regime, spending time in a hyperbaric chamber twice a day and programming how long he exercised and what he ate.
"Obviously, a lot of unknowns. Am I going to be back fit? Am I going to be back feeling still good with the car?," he said.
"And then suddenly you come back and win. So, yes, life is a rollercoaster sometimes, but it can be really nice and good to you sometimes. (I'm) just letting it sink in and enjoying the moment."
While Sainz has no seat yet for 2025, his teammate Charles Leclerc said he was certain to be snapped up.
"He's one of the highest rated drivers in the paddock and he's been extremely strong every time he has been in a Formula One car and has shown it multiple times," Leclerc said.
"That's why I'm not too worried about his future, I'm sure he will have many opportunities and he will have to just make the best choice for his career."
T.Wright--AT