Sainz reveals 'scare' on way to Mexican 'destiny'

Carlos Sainz believes his victory in the Mexico City Grand Prix was "destiny" as he prepares to leave Ferrari. 

From pole position, Sainz was largely untroubled in Mexico after passing Max Verstappen for the lead on lap nine after a safety car period, with the Spanish racer going on to claim multiple wins in a season for the first time after an earlier victory in Australia.

Sainz is entering the final run of races at Ferrari as he will be replaced by Lewis Hamilton for 2025 when he will join Williams.

He conceded after qualifying that it was a "bittersweet" feeling to be departing after four seasons at Maranello.

Reflecting on his dominant weekend, speaking to media including RacingNews365, Sainz said: "I felt like this weekend was going to be a very good opportunity to win the race. I had a very good feeling coming into the weekend.

"I was determined to win it, and been focused on it all weekend. 

"My family was coming, my best friend, my girlfriend, there were a lot of people here to support me, and I said maybe destiny has something ready for me, that maybe, my last win with Ferrari can come in front of them all. 

"I've been driving well and I made it stick. You cannot imagine how happy and proud I am."

Sainz's only trouble

Although it was a dominant win, Sainz did reveal one "scary" moment, when his SF-24 machine developed a misfire at the 2240m above-sea-level circuit. 

"The only misfire I had all race was on the exit of Turn 3, landing after hitting the kerb," he said.

"I short-shifted and it gave me a misfire, which was a bit scary. 

"But we had them during the weekend and we know it was due to the altitude and the mapping.

"Once I was in the lead, I trusted my pace and my management. I knew I just had to do whatever I had planned and that the win was possible."