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 05:47

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 05:47

World Championship standings 2025

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 - 2025

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
14 - Mar 16
Australia
21 - Mar 23
China
4 - Apr 6
Japan
11 - Apr 13
Bahrain
18 - Apr 20
Saudi Arabia
2 - May 4
United States of America
16 - May 18
Italy
23 - May 25
Monaco
30 - Jun 1
Spain
13 - Jun 15
Canada
27 - Jun 29
Austria
4 - Jul 6
United Kingdom
25 - Jul 27
Belgium
1 - Aug 3
Hungary
29 - Aug 31
Netherlands
5 - Sep 7
Italy
19 - Sep 21
Azerbaijan
3 - Oct 5
Singapore
17 - Oct 19
United States of America
24 - Oct 26
Mexico
7 - Nov 9
Brazil
21 - Nov 23
United States of America
28 - Nov 30
Qatar
5 - Dec 7
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
14 - Mar 16
Australia Albert Park
21 - Mar 23
4 - Apr 6
11 - Apr 13
18 - Apr 20
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
2 - May 4
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
16 - May 18
23 - May 25
Monaco Monte Carlo
30 - Jun 1
13 - Jun 15
27 - Jun 29
Austria Red Bull Ring
4 - Jul 6
United Kingdom Silverstone
25 - Jul 27
1 - Aug 3
Hungary Hungaroring
29 - Aug 31
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
5 - Sep 7
Italy Monza
19 - Sep 21
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
3 - Oct 5
17 - Oct 19
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
24 - Oct 26
7 - Nov 9
Brazil Interlagos
21 - Nov 23
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
28 - Nov 30
5 - Dec 7
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Williams
  • Points 1,280
  • Podiums 27
  • Grand Prix 214
  • Country ES
  • Date of b. Sep 1 1994 (30)
  • Place of b. Madrid, ES
  • Weight 66 kg
  • Length 1.78 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar