Jaime Alguersuari admits 19-podium driver is even more mature than Fernando Alonso

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Former F1 driver Jaime Alguersuari has suggested that Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz is the most mature driver on the grid right now.

The Spaniard has praised the 29-year-old and believes he’s still improving from race to race after his third-place finish in Bahrain.

Speaking to La Sexta, Alguersuari even made a positive prediction for the 19-time podium finisher heading into Saturday’s race in Saudi Arabia.

Alguersuari thinks Sainz is the most mature driver in Formula 1

Carlos Sainz has more to race for in 2024 than almost anyone else on the grid.

After losing his seat at Ferrari to Lewis Hamilton for next season, he showed the rest of the paddock why they should be considering signing him with a fantastic podium finish in Bahrain.

Although his teammate Charles Leclerc was having brake issues and both Mercedes were overheating, he was still matching the pace of Sergio Perez’s Red Bull.

Sky Sports’ David Croft has suggested Aston Martin should be ‘aggressively approaching’ the Spaniard but admits it’s unlikely they’ll be able to hire him.

Damon Hill has noticed one problem with the 29-year-old heading to Mercedes but it’s impossible to see him not ending up in a strong seat for 2025.

Jaime Alguersuari has been full of praise for Sainz and believes he’s the most mature driver in Formula 1.

Considering the years of additional experience the likes of Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton have over Sainz, it’s a big claim.

He’s going to need to use all of his expertise if he’s going to challenge the Red Bulls and stay ahead of both Mercedes drivers for the rest of the campaign.

Sainz earning praise after excellent start to 2024

Speaking about his fellow countryman, Alguersuari said: “For me Ferrari is marketing. What they are looking for is to have a seven-time world champion to make the winning soufflé bigger, but it’s a historical issue that they don’t win.

“Sainz is not in a winning team. I don’t think Ferrari is a winning team.

“He is the most mature driver on the grid. He is better than ever and this year he will win several races on the Formula 1 grid.

“I think he will beat Leclerc again… because Carlos is getting better and better and there is no limit. We haven’t seen the best of Sainz yet and he’s a candy for any team.”

Alguersuari’s praise of the mature Sainz is well-founded but F1 moves quickly and a poor weekend in Saudi Arabia would rapidly overshadow his triumphs in Bahrain.

Sainz was left surprised by how quick Red Bull were last weekend and will hope they can close the gap in Jeddah.

Pedro De La Rosa admired the ‘very brave’ 29-year-old’s drive in Sakhir and if he can replicate that in Saudi Arabia then he’ll be in a very strong position.