Carlos Sainz (Ferrari/3rd): “I had my doubts” / Formula 1

Third place for Australian winner Carlos Sainz in the Japanese Grand Prix, so the Madrilenian can continue his great performance in Melbourne. He is on the winner’s podium for the first time at Suzuka, his previous best was 5th in 2019.

After his 21st trip in the first class to finish the podium, Carlos Sainz said: “We couldn’t do anything against Red Bull Racing today, we have to be honest. It was a difficult task today because we knew that in the heat, the management of the tire would also be harder.

“It was clear to us: we have to be faster in the race than in qualifying. Not fast enough to win RBR, but fast enough to finish on the podium.”

Formula 1 is all about nuances. One such nuance is the effective interaction between the slope surface and the tire ball in relation to the outside temperature. As the Japanese GP progressed, there were more clouds, which made things a little easier for the drivers. The conditions of the piste have changed a lot in Grand Prix, so you have to be able to adapt.”

Sainz admits he played with the car only one way. “But eventually we had to realize that we weren’t going to get to the finish line any faster.”

After a late stop, Sainz knew he now had to push hard. “To be honest, I had my doubts if I could easily beat Norris and Charles.”

Sainz beat Norris with decisive maneuvers, Leclerc offered no resistance. The Monegasque knew that with the worn ball he would not finally be racing against Sainz, but that he was fighting with Norris for third place.

Sainz continued: “In the middle of the race I almost lost my teeth in the Mercedes. I realized that it was going to be very difficult in the chaos of the man in front and that I had to come up with something to do against Lando and Charles.”

“But on the hard tires I was able to drive a fast rhythm with my Ferrari. I was able to attack to my heart’s content with this combination and I passed Norris and Leclerc well.”

Japan-GP, Suzuka Circuit

01. Max Verstappen (NL), Red Bull Racing, 1:54:23,566 h
02. Sergio Pérez (MEX), Red Bull Racing, +12.535 seconds
03. Carlos Sainz (E), Ferrari, +20,866
04. Charles Leclerc (MC), Ferrari, +26,522
05. Lando Norris (GB), McLaren, +29.700
06. Fernando Alonso (E), Aston Martin, +44,272
07. George Russell (GB), Mercedes, +45,951
08. Oscar Piastri (AUS), McLaren, +47.525
09. Lewis Hamilton (GB), Mercedes, +48,626
10. Yuki Tsunoda (J), Racing Bulls, +1 Round
11. Nico Hülkenberg (D), Haas, +1 lap
12. Lance Stroll (CDN), Aston Martin, +1 Round
13. Kevin Magnussen (DK), Haas, +1 Lap
14. Valtteri Bottas (FIN), clean, +1 lap
15. Esteban Ocon (F), Alpine, +1 Round
16. Pierre Gasly (F), Alpine, +1 Round
17. Logan Sargeant (USA), Williams, +1 Round
outside
Guanyu Zhou (RCH), Sauber, Elektrik
Alex Albon (T), Williams, Crash
Daniel Ricciardo (AUS), Racing Bull, Crash

World Championship Standings (after 4 out of 24 Grands Prix)

the driver
01. Verstappen 77 points
02. Perez 64
03. Leclerc 59
04. Sainz 55
05. Norris 37
06. Plate 32
07. Russell 24
08. Alonso 24
09. Hamilton 10
10. Walk 7
11. Tsunoda 7
12. Oliver Bearman (GB) 6
13. Hulkenberg 3
14. Magnussen 1
15. Alboni 0
16. Zhou 0
17. Ricciardo 0
18. Okon 0
19. 0 gas
20. Bota 0
21. Sergeant 0

Builders Cup
01. Red Bull Racing 141 Punkte
02. Ferrari 120
03. McLaren 69
04. Mercedes 34
05. Aston Martin 33
06. Running Bull 7
07. Especially 4
08. Williams 0
09. Sauber 0
10. Alpine 0