F1, Ferrari: Carlos Sainz takes a swipe at the FIA
Carlos Sainz takes a swipe at the FIA
Carlos Sainz during the press conference ahead of the Mexican Grand Prix returned to the contact with George Russell that forced him to leave the U.S. Grand Prix immediately after the start.
The Spanish driver admitted all his frustration: “It was undoubtedly one of the most difficult moments of the season. And very disappointing. After having a perfect weekend up to that point, it’s really hard to see the race ruined by something that is not up to you.”
So he returned to the incident with Russell – “It’s the kind of incident you expect to see more of in the middle of the grid when there are so many cars around you. But among the top four, I’ve never seen this incident happen so often”-accepting the Briton’s apology, but not failing to reprimand the FIA: “Of course, it’s always an honor for those who do it directly after the race. And I always respect and appreciate that. That doesn’t mean I’m happy or that I don’t think the FIA was a little soft on him because of the consequences of his action.”
“Honestly, the sooner these days are over, the better,” the Ferrarista continued. “Because you always think about what could have been, you always look back and see where you could have been during the race, I think we had a great opportunity that weekend.”
In any case, he still said he was proud to be in the group with Verstappen and Leclerc: “The fact that I was able to come back after a very difficult start to the season and still be able to get myself together, to reinvent myself with my driving style, with my car, with my set-up, to suddenly be in a fight with the two guys who are in the best shape in F1 right now, which are Charles and Max… To beat them in the fight for pole and to fight with them for pole is what makes me more relaxed about the whole situation.”
“If others rear-end me in the first few corners or if I keep pulling out for whatever reason, it’s obviously frustrating, but not so much, because then I know that if I have the speed normally F1 gives you back what it takes away sooner or later. So I will take the positive in that sense,” Sainz concluded.
