The reinvigoration of 'Smooth Operator' Carlos Sainz – How the Ferrari man stepped up after the summer break

Special ContributorMatt Youson
SINGAPORE, SINGAPORE - SEPTEMBER 17: Carlos Sainz of Spain and Ferrari looks on from the grid priorSINGAPORE, SINGAPORE - SEPTEMBER 17: Carlos Sainz of Spain and Ferrari looks on from the grid prior to the F1 Grand Prix of Singapore at Marina Bay Street Circuit on September 17, 2023 in Singapore, Singapore. (Photo by Dan Istitene - Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images)

Would you have bet on Carlos Sainz being the driver to finally end Max Verstappen’s winning run?

Cards on the table, there have been times this season when the prospect looked bleak for anyone to end Verstappen’s streak, but prior to the summer break, Sainz perhaps wouldn’t have been top of the most-likely list.