Carlos Sainz (Ferrari/5): Race warning / Formula 1

It wasn’t as good as Carlos Sainz’s performance in Australia, but a solid performance in very poor qualifying conditions at the Shanghai International Circuit – starting 5th in the race, two places ahead of Ferrari team-mate Charles Leclerc.

Three-time GP winner Sainz describes his performance in China as follows: “Not the easiest characteristics, with different slope conditions. We had a smooth first and second qualifying section, but when the drops turned to rain and we put on the intermediate tyres, we had a hard time – we didn’t get the rear tires up to the right temperature.

The 29-year-old Madrilenian warns of the race: “If the conditions of the race are the same as in the playoffs, then we have a very difficult task ahead of us. But according to the latest weather forecast, it may stay dry.”

“Either way – we have to create a chance and then take this momentum into the final training for the Grand Prix.”

Sprint Qualifying, China

01. Lando Norris (GB), McLaren, 1:57,940 minutes
02. Lewis Hamilton (GB), Mercedes, 1:59,201
03. Fernando Alonso (E), Aston Martin, 1:59.915
04. Max Verstappen (NL), Red Bull Racing, 2:00,028
05. Carlos Sainz (E), Ferrari, 2:00.214
06. Sergio Pérez (MEX), Red Bull Racing, 2:00.375
07. Charles Leclerc (MC), Ferrari, 2:00,566
08. Oscar Piastri (AUS), McLaren, 2:00.990
09. Valtteri Bottas (FIN), Sauber, 2:01.044
10. Guanyu Zhou (RCH), Sauber, 2:03,537
11. George Russell (GB), Mercedes, 1:36,345
12. Kevin Magnussen (DK), Haas, 1:36.473
13. Nico Hülkenberg (D), Haas, 1:36.478
14. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS), Bull Racing, 1:36.553
15. Lance Stroll (CDN), Aston Martin, 1:36,677
16. Pierre Gasly (F), Alpine, 1:37,632
17. Esteban Ocon (F), Alpine, 1:37,720
18. Alex Albon (T), Williams, 1:37,812
19. Yuki Tsunoda (J), Racing Bulls, 1:37,892
20. Logan Sargeant (USA), Williams, 1:37,923