Jannik Sinner, a Ferrari fan on the Abu Dhabi GP: “We tennis gamers are as alone because the drivers. Within the automotive, I isolate myself. Did I present myself a Ferrari? I received’t say now. Am I like Verstappen? Like him, I don’t chase information.”
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 System 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 individual. I had an concept 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 assume so. It’s higher if he drives…”
Have you ever organized the padel match you talked about?
“It’s actually exhausting 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 the whole lot, and having enjoyable. Even once I began snowboarding, I all the time tried to go as quick as doable. And in a automotive, after all—on observe. I 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 yr, once I was coaching in Alicante, I used to go to a observe close by. In Monaco, I’ve enjoyable on the simulator with my buddy Antonio Giovinazzi. I like driving after coaching—within the automotive, I isolate myself. I placed on music and drive alone.”
Do you bear 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 individual. 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 may’t take something without any consideration—you need to stay day-to-day and luxuriate in it with a goal.”
You’ve reached your purpose—turning 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 mentioned. He talked about that he doesn’t chase different drivers’ information 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 finished checks to find out what sort of preparation to observe, which methods to make use of. There’s quite a lot of sacrifice behind it. I’m solely 23, not 27 like Verstappen, and I’ve solely had one top-level season. The purpose isn’t simply to win for 3 years however to nonetheless be competing at 30. This season was unbelievable, however the whole lot can change.”
In case you are Verstappen, is Carlos Alcaraz Hamilton?
“Hamilton has extra expertise, so it’s exhausting to check. However on the court docket, like in a automotive, we’re alone. Nonetheless, the consistency and stability Max has proven are spectacular.”
Variations between drivers and tennis gamers?
“I don’t understand how they do it—giving interviews two minutes earlier than entering into the automotive, then placing on the helmet and going… In tennis, it’s not like that.”
Is it true that you just just lately purchased your self a Ferrari?
“I don’t wish to say simply but.”
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