Carlos Sainz couldn't hide his excitement after taking part in his first test with his new team Ferrari, calling Wednesday a day he will never forget. The Scuderia have been hard at work all week at Fiorano, as the Spaniard is the fifth driver to try out the 2018 SF71H car ahead of pre-season testing in Bahrain during the second week of March. Sainz took to the track with his number 55 car as a "Vamos Carlos!" banner waved while a small group of journalists and fans watched on, including an emotional Carlos Sainz Sr. The 26-year-old highlighted how special the moment was for him after completing over 100 laps on his first day. "A day I will never forget!" Sainz stated via a Ferrari press statement. "The alarm went off at dawn because we had some very early meetings before going out on track. One of the most special moments for me today was when I arrived at the circuit and I saw the Ferrari with my number 55 on it! I was eager to jump in the car and that first installation lap was exciting. "Then we got down to work and I am very pleased with how the day unfolded. We were able to get through an extensive programme and I was able to familiarise myself with the whole setup: the engineers and mechanics, the steering wheel, the procedures which are obviously a bit different to those on the car I drove last season. "It was very nice to have my father there at such an important moment in my career. And I’d like to thank Mattia, Laurent and everyone at Ferrari for such a warm welcome and such a positive first day in the 2018 car. I am very happy and could not have wished for a better start." Sainz is the fifth Spanish driver to be part of Ferrari after Fernando Alonso and Marquis Alfonso de Portago, along with test drivers Pedro de la Rosa and Marc Gene. The 26-year-old will be back out on track Thursday morning, while Mick Schumacher will take over in the afternoon.
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