Carlos Sainz qualified behind Max Verstappen for the Sprint race. The Spanish driver, who has had success in the last two seasons, couldn’t secure a higher position on the grid and will start in fifth place for tomorrow’s race in Shanghai. Despite this setback, Sainz remains optimistic about his team’s performance and believes they have a chance to compete for the win.
Formula 1 returned to China after a five-year absence, and the unfamiliarity with the track posed a challenge for the drivers. The addition of the Sprint race this weekend, along with rainy conditions during qualifying, made the task even harder.
Despite finishing fifth, Carlos Sainz doesn’t rule out his chances of winning the Sprint race. He explained that the Ferrari team struggled with their tires during qualifying, especially in the rain. This forced them to try different approaches, which ultimately affected their performance. However, Sainz is confident that if the Sprint race were held in dry conditions, the Ferrari cars would have a significant advantage and would be the ones to watch.
Although Sainz believes he has the potential to compete for the win, he admits he is not entirely comfortable with the car. He finished over two seconds behind the pole position time in the Sprint Shootout, indicating there is room for improvement. Sainz plans to make adjustments to the car’s setup once the parc fermé restrictions are lifted, focusing on improving rear stability and other crucial elements.
Despite these concerns, Carlos Sainz is expected to have a strong performance in the Sprint race and may even challenge for a spot on the podium. He will then shift his focus to Sunday’s race, where the opportunity to earn significant points awaits him.
