Sainz Jr gives Renault its best qualifying result since 2016

The funny qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix on Saturday helped the mid-table drivers. In addition to the two Toro Rossos present in Q3 ahead of the Red Bulls, the performance of Carlos Sainz Jr (Renault) should be emphasized. The Catalan equaled his best test result with a fifth fastest time in the rain (as in Barcelona in 2015 on a Toro Rosso), but it allowed the French manufacturer to sign its best position on a grid since the brand's official return in 2016.

The 3.5 Formula Renault 2014 champion coped with the rainy conditions without any problem. “ I wasn't worried in the rain. The engineers and mechanics trusted me and are happy with this result. » However, the one who is still under contract Red Bull didn't expect to finish so high in qualifying.

P5 for tomorrow! pic.twitter.com/znNiqup6ZH

- Carlos Sainz (@ Carlossainz55) July 28, 2018

“On a wet track, the aerodynamic downforce is even greater than on a dry road surface, and This is an area in which we are a bit lagging behind the top teams.. It’s a surprise to be in front of the Red Bulls”, conferred the Spaniard.

Carlos Sainz Jr could even have aimed a little better than the third row with a little success. “Coming in second, third, fourth time during the session, and missing the front lines just because we didn't put on new maxi rain tires at the end of Q3... After my lap earning me provisional third place, I didn't want to stop anymore. We'll never know what these new tires would have allowed me to do! »

Take a bow, Carlos Sainz

He displaces Bottas to set provisional third-best time#HungarianGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/7WH2nMmMA2

— Formula 1 (@F1) July 28, 2018

The son of the recent winner of the Dakar thus has a real opportunity to consolidate Renault's fourth place in the Manufacturers' standings (21 points ahead of Force India blocked in Q1 and the Haas in the top 10). A task which also falls to Nico Hulkenberg, credited with the 13th time after a fuel pump problem in Q2 preventing him from turning on the track as much as his rivals.