The McLaren F1 configuration that has helped Sainz shine at Ferrari

His ability to hit the ground running, and be up there fighting it out alongside team-mate Charles Leclerc, has been critical in helping the Maranello squad’s battle with his old team McLaren for third place in the constructors’ championship.

One interesting aspect of his switch to Ferrari has been how he has adopted a similar clutch arrangement to the one he preferred at his previous squad.

Rather than sticking with the single wishbone-style paddle arrangement that was first introduced by his predecessor Sebastian Vettel and adopted by Leclerc, Sainz has gone for a twin paddle arrangement.

Like the set-up used during his McLaren tenure, Sainz’s paddles also have a socket at the end in order that he might place his index and second finger inside to improve modulation and feel.

Sainz's Ferrari steering wheel, 2021

Photo by: Giorgio Piola

This is a feature in common with an arrangement used by Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen, before the switch to the single paddle set-up. 

Raikkonen persevered with the double version, and had the paddles horizontal to the wheel. However, Sainz has decided to have them mounted at an angle that better accommodates his requirements.

It’s also interesting to note that, whilst adaptations on the front of the steering wheel appear to be less critical to Sainz’s comfort, he seems to have shortened the shift paddles on his wheel when compared to Leclerc.

These changes might seem small on the face of it, but even tiny ergonomic changes can have a valid impact on performance, especially when we consider the importance of a race start.

Carlos Sainz Jr McLaren 2020 steering wheel

Photo by: Giorgio Piola