Carlos Sainz: “Ferrari closer to the top than expected” / Formula 1

The true balance of power at the Suzuka Circuit in Japan has not yet been revealed: Max Verstappen in front of Sergio Pérez (Red Bull Racing) in the first training session, many expected it, but the winner of the Australian GP Carlos Sainz the best time of the winner of GP Carlos Sainz was as close as that. good that of Mexico. World Cup leader Max Verstappen said: “The field is getting closer.”

The 29-year-old Madrilenian Sainz, third in the first training session, seventh in the uninformative, rainy second session, sums up his day as follows: “Definitely not a good day, because almost the entire training session the second was lost because of the rain.”

“I immediately felt comfortable in the car in the first 60 minutes and I was looking forward to the second practice session because I wanted to try a lot of things during set-up. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen. The track was too wet for the use of non-treadable tyres, but it also didn’t have enough moisture for the middle rollers.

“For this reason, it didn’t make sense to go to the track and we decided not to go. Of course you miss this hour, but that’s the same for all pilots. We still have a third training session to adjust the setup.

“We are closer to the top than I expected. Even if, of course, I don’t know the amount of fuel and engine settings of the rivals. But six months ago, when we were in Suzuka in the autumn, we were behind by a tenth of a second. Now it is a few tenths . That’s definitely a good start.”

“I think in the end the Red Bull Championship will be in front, behind it will be a hot dance with McLaren and Mercedes.”

2. Studies, Japan

01. Oscar Piastri (AUS), McLaren, 1:34.725 min
02. Lewis Hamilton (GB), Mercedes, 1:35,226
03. Charles Leclerc (MC), Ferrari, 1:38,760
04. Yuki Tsunoda (J), Racing Bulls, 1:40,946
05. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS), Racing Bull, 1:41.913
06. Lando Norris (GB), McLaren, 1:44.977
07. Carlos Sainz (E), Ferrari, 1:52.579
08. Guanyu Zhou (RCH), clean, no time
09. Valtteri Bottas (FIN), clean, no time
10. Alex Albon (T), Williams, no time
11. Kevin Magnussen (DK), Haas, no time
12. Nico Hülkenberg (D), Haas, no time
13. Esteban Ocon (F), Alpine, no time
14. Max Verstappen (NL), Red Bull Racing, no time
15. Logan Sargeant (USA), Williams, no time
16. Pierre Gasly (F), Alpine, no time
17. Sergio Pérez (MEX), Bull Red Racing, no time
18. Fernando Alonso (E), Aston Martin, No Time
19. Lance Stroll (CDN), Aston Martin, no time
20. George Russell (GB), Mercedes, no time

1. Studies, Japan

01. Max Verstappen (NL), Red Bull Racing, 1:30,056 minutes
02. Sergio Pérez (MEX), Red Bull Racing, 1:30.237
03. Carlos Sainz (E), Ferrari, 1:30.269
04. George Russell (GB), Mercedes, 1:30,530
05. Lewis Hamilton (GB), Mercedes, 1:30,543
06. Charles Leclerc (MC), Ferrari, 1:30,558
07. Fernando Alonso (E), Aston Martin, 1:30.599
08. Oscar Piastri (AUS), McLaren, 1:31.165
09. Yuki Tsunoda (J), Racing Bulls, 1:31,230
10. Lando Norris (GB), McLaren, 1:31.240
11. Esteban Ocon (F), Alpine, 1:31,935
12. Alex Albon (T), Williams, 1:31,943
13. Nico Hülkenberg (D), Haas, +1:31.958
14. Valtteri Bottas (FIN), Sauber, 1:32.054
15. Lance Stroll (CDN), Aston Martin, 1:32,055
16. Ayumu Iwasa (J), Racing Bull, 1:32,103
17. Pierre Gasly (F), Alpine, 1:32,277
18. Guanyu Zhou (RCH), Sauber, 1:32,638
19. Kevin Magnussen (DK), Haas, 1:32.803
20. Logan Sargeant (USA), Williams, 1:33,204