Sainz eyeing strong result in Melbourne

Carlos Sainz is hoping for a strong start to the season this weekend at the Australian Grand Prix. The Spaniard is targeting a strong haul of points to begin his momentum for the season.

Toro Rosso had a troublesome pre-season test, setting the fewest laps of any teams. However, it appears that reliability issues have been solved and Sainz is hoping a high points finish awaits him in Melbourne. 

"I've finished ninth both times I've ever raced in Australia," Sainz explained. "But I want more than that and I think it's possible to achieve – the previous two years we finished ninth but we could've finished much higher.

"I remember racing in fifth at some point in both 2015 and 2016 but in the end we just didn't make the most out of those situations, so we definitely want more this year!"

Despite this being the fourth year Sainz's team mate Daniil Kvyat has travelled to Australia for the Grand Prix, he has only competed in the race once: his rookie year in 2014.

His Red Bull ran into problems pre-race in 2015 and 2016, forcing him to withdraw before the lights even went out. However, he says he will erase the memories from his head and hope for a positive weekend. 

"I've had two failures the last two years in Australia, but I prefer to forget about that and only remember my debut there back in 2014, when I scored my first points for Toro Rosso," said Kvyat. "I'm excited to go back there again and to finally kick-off the season!"

 

Fergal Walsh

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Driver profile

  • Team Alpine F1
  • Points 194
  • Podiums 3
  • Grand Prix 93
  • Country RU
  • Date of b. Apr 28 1994 (31)
  • Place of b. Ufa, RU
  • Weight 58 kg
  • Length 1.75 m
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