Carlos Sainz: “Still a few tenths to find”

This second race of the season was not much different from the first for Carlos Sainz. Third in qualifying, the Spaniard achieved the same result after 50 laps of the race, but without ever being able to see victory. The pilot Ferrari indeed had to leave his teammate Charles Leclerc in a duel with the outgoing champion Max Verstappen (Red Bull). His race was especially marked by this extremely close pit exit with Sergio Pérez.

Trapped by the Safety Car leaving the track following the accident Nicholas latifi (Williams), the Mexican thought he had narrowly regained third place, but it was the Madrilenian who narrowly passed the Safety Car line first at the exit from the pit lane. After asking for his due at length on the radio, Carlos Sainz finally got it back at the race restart, where the pole sitter, informed by the airwaves, let him pass.

“It was a bit tight with Checo, he was a bit unlucky with the Safety Car line, but it was my position, explained the Scuderia driver after the race. There was of course a question of returning it to me. The leaders flew away after my tires got cold during the VSC, I couldn't keep up with their pace. I still have a few tenths to find with this car, but it's already getting better for me. » The Spaniard will indeed have to catch up if he does not want to be let down by Charles Leclerc in the championship. 

ALSO READ > Saudi Arabia – Max Verstappen wins by a breath in front of Charles Leclerc