F1 Japan: Carlos Sainz realistic about Ferrari’s ambitions
Carlos Sainz: "We can fight for third place"
Qualifying for the Japanese Grand Prix saw Carlos Sainz take fourth place, behind the two Red Bulls of Max Verstappen and the McLaren of Lando Norris. The Spanish driver, fresh from his success in the Australian GP, wanted to set the record straight on his ambitions for Sunday, speaking to the microphones of 'Sky Sport'.
"We have to see a little bit; I am happy with the lap that brought me to fourth place, although I was slipping a little bit at the beginning,” said the Spaniard.
The race pace in free practice? I think we were lighter than Red Bull, you have to be careful in making judgments. It's true, maybe we're stronger in the race than in qualifying, but it doesn't mean the others aren't as well.
" I think Red Bull, during free practice, had more gas: maybe we will have less pace than it seemed a little bit to everyone. We have to set realistic goals, for me the goal è to be on the podium but è more likely to fight with Lando for third place, I think it is an achievement within our reach".
In the races so far, Carlos Sainz è went on the podium twice out of two, finishing third in Bahrain and first in Australia. In Saudi Arabia, the Spaniard was unable to compete, due to an appendicitis that forced him to undergo surgery close to the Jeddah race.
