Sainz: F1 drivers need to get used to 'open rules' of fighting

  • Published on 26 Sep 2019 10:02
  • comments 0
  • By: Dieter Rencken & Fergal Walsh

Carlos Sainz says drivers still need to get used to the more open rules of engagement when it comes to battling cars on track.

In recent races, the black and white flag has been issued to drivers who were deemed to be driving in a less than satisfactory standard - leaving them with a warning rather than a penalty.

The black and white flag was most notably used for Charles Leclerc at the Italian Grand Prix while he was defending the lead of the race ahead of Lewis Hamilton.

Sainz says that the drivers need to "get our heads around" the fact that they can race harder, but insists that they need to know where the limit rests.

"We're getting there, but we still need to get used to these more open rules because it clearly looks like you can play a bit with little things, sometimes a bit wrong and get away it and use your 'joker'," said the Spaniard.

"So we still need to get our heads around it and we need to know how far we can go over the limit. I think it is clear that you can go over the limit at the moment. So we will see how it goes."

McLaren shouldn't aim for fourth

McLaren previously stated that it wouldn't compromise the production of its 2020 car as it looks to seal fourth place in the 2019 constructors' championship. 

Sainz believes the team has the right mentality in doing so, and is confident that it has the resources to ensure that it stays at the head of the midfield until the end of the season. 

"I think McLaren shouldn't be thinking about how to get P4 or P5, they should be thinking about how to get back to the top," he said.

"I think that's exactly the way I want McLaren to think, to look forward and if we can get P4 this year, then great. I think we still have a car and drivers capable of doing it with this year's car, so I prefer the factory to think about next year."

Replies (0)

Login to reply

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2024

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
29 - Mar 2
Bahrain
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia
22 - Mar 24
Australia
5 - Apr 7
Japan
19 - Apr 21
China
3 - May 5
United States of America
17 - May 19
Italy
24 - May 26
Monaco
7 - Jun 9
Canada
21 - Jun 23
Spain
28 - Jun 30
Austria
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom
19 - Jul 21
Hungary
26 - Jul 28
Belgium
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands
30 - Sep 1
Italy
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan
20 - Sep 22
Singapore
18 - Oct 20
United States of America
25 - Oct 27
Mexico
1 - Nov 3
Brazil
22 - Nov 24
United States of America
29 - Dec 1
Qatar
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
29 - Mar 2
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7
19 - Apr 21
3 - May 5
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19
24 - May 26
Monaco Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9
21 - Jun 23
28 - Jun 30
Austria Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom Silverstone
19 - Jul 21
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1
Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22
18 - Oct 20
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27
1 - Nov 3
Brazil Interlagos
22 - Nov 24
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Ferrari
  • Points 1,118
  • Podiums 23
  • Grand Prix 195
  • Country ES
  • Date of b. Sep 1 1994 (29)
  • Place of b. Madrid, ES
  • Weight 66 kg
  • Length 1.78 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar