Reflecting further on the topic, the 35-year-old said: “It’s difficult [to say]Obviously, most of the time I was met with a bit more struggle or challenge. So, look, did I predict this? I’m not going to say I did, because I don’t think I did.
“So I guess from that point of view, it’s a bit surprising that in two years, less than two years, they’re probably currently the quickest package on the grid. But I also don’t look at it as, ‘Oh man, if only I could have had him.’
“That’s sport, that’s how it is… You have to take your hat off to them. You have to congratulate anyone who is doing a good job in this sport and who is developing and making a big step in a short time.”
Before Ricciardo joined McLaren, Sainz had been Norris’ teammate between 2019 and 2020. During his time at the team, the Spaniard scored his first podium finish before becoming a Ferrari driver in 2021.
While it has been several years since he worked with the Papaya team, Sainz felt the team would eventually taste the levels of success they had experienced in their illustrious past.