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Carlos Sainz says that he is looking forward to returning to Spa-Francorchamps, a track that is a favourite of many drivers. Indeed, Sainz admits that the track that contains the legendary Eau Rouge corner is one of his personal favourites.
Despite it being a welcoming track for the Spaniard, he has never finished a race he's contested there. Power unit problems in 2015 and a first lap puncture in 2016 ended his races prematurely, but he still says that he enjoys racing around the circuit that was originally designed in 1920.
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"I really like racing in Spa because it's a track that has a bit of everything. It has very long straights where good overtaking can take place, but also very nice corners – Sector 2 in particular is very nice and flowing. It's tough to find a compromise regarding the balance of the car and the set-up for the long straights and Sector 2, but I enjoy the challenge.
"There's a corner there that's maybe not as famous as some of the others, but that I like a lot and it's one of the toughest. When you say Spa, everyone always thinks of Eau Rouge, but actually one of the most difficult corners in the world is Pouhon – we drive there at around 260kph, in seventh gear, and it's a turn to always keep in mind!
"Spa is one of my favourite tracks but, strangely enough, I've never finished an F1 race there. I think the race in 2016 was even more frustrating than the one in 2015 because I had done one of my best first laps of my life. I started from P15 and I was P7 after lap 1, but I suddenly got a puncture in the middle of the straight due to carbon fiber pieces, so unlucky! I remember being so motivated and suddenly all the highs of that first lap disappeared. I was quite annoyed. Third time lucky, they say."
Fergal Walsh
Azerbaijan Grand Prix
C. Sainz jr
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Best track on the calendar!