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 reward myself a Ferrari? I gained’t say now. Am I like Verstappen? Like him, I don’t chase data.”
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 unimaginable expertise. We message one another, however we had by no means met in particular person. I had an concept of what to anticipate, as I had already pushed at Fiorano, however not with him. His management is wonderful.”
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 pace imply to you?
“Freedom. It means figuring out your limits, respecting all the things, and having enjoyable. Even after I began snowboarding, I all the time tried to go as quick as doable. And in a automotive, in fact—on monitor. I like the sound of the engine. No, I’m not scared. In the present day, I loved it.”
You drive karts when you possibly can.
“Final yr, after I was coaching in Alicante, I used to go to a monitor close by. In Monaco, I’ve enjoyable on the simulator with my pal Antonio Giovinazzi. I like driving after coaching—within the automotive, I isolate myself. I placed on music and drive alone.”
Do you keep 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 particular person. My first reminiscence is linked to Schumacher. When he had his snowboarding accident, it was a shock for me.”
In 2013, you had 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 reside day-to-day and luxuriate in it with a goal.”
You’ve reached your aim—turning into world No. 1. Do you’re feeling just like the Verstappen of tennis?
“I simply spoke with Max, and we had been commenting on one thing he stated. He talked about that he doesn’t chase different drivers’ data as a result of he additionally values spending time with household. We’re athletes, however we’re additionally individuals—family and friends are an important issues. I attempt to do my greatest in tennis; from tomorrow (at the moment, truly), I’ll resume coaching in Dubai, however I share his mindset.”
How do you’re feeling?
“We’ve performed checks to find out what sort of preparation to observe, which methods to make use of. There’s numerous sacrifice behind it. I’m solely 23, not 27 like Verstappen, and I’ve solely had one top-level season. The aim isn’t simply to win for 3 years however to nonetheless be competing at 30. This season was unimaginable, however all the things can change.”
If you’re Verstappen, is Carlos Alcaraz Hamilton?
“Hamilton has extra expertise, so it’s exhausting to check. However on the courtroom, 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 know the way they do it—giving interviews two minutes earlier than moving into the automotive, then placing on the helmet and going… In tennis, it’s not like that.”
Is it true that you simply lately purchased your self a Ferrari?
“I don’t wish to say simply but.”
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