Carlos Sainz: “We didn’t expect to be this high”

The surprise of this qualifying session comes from McLaren and its Spanish pilot Carlos Sainz. In Monza, the Iberian set the third best time in qualifying, only ahead of the Silver Arrows.

« I am very happy. Glad to be back after our disastrous weekend in Spa », smiles Carlos Sainz in the press room. If he wanted to react after his Belgian disappointment a few days ago, the Spaniard did not think that his car was going to be able to deliver such a performance this Saturday.

« We didn't expect to be this high in the rankings. We expected to see the Red Bull or Renault ahead of us but from the start of qualifying I felt that I had the opportunity to fight for the Top 3 today. From Q1, I set good times. I saved my tires for Q3 which allowed me to take risks at the end ».

As for the race, the McLaren driver knows that the task will be more difficult than this Saturday. But brawler as he is, he won't give up. “ Our race pace is not as good as this third position but we will hang on ».