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 

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2023

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 - 2023

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
3 - Mar 5
Bahrain
17 - Mar 19
Saudi Arabia
31 - Apr 2
Australia
28 - Apr 30
Azerbaijan
5 - May 7
United States of America
19 - May 21
Italy
26 - May 28
Monaco
2 - Jun 4
Spain
16 - Jun 18
Canada
30 - Jul 2
Austria
7 - Jul 9
United Kingdom
21 - Jul 23
Hungary
28 - Jul 30
Belgium
25 - Aug 27
Netherlands
1 - Sep 3
Italy
15 - Sep 17
Singapore
22 - Sep 24
Japan
20 - Oct 22
United States of America
27 - Oct 29
Mexico
3 - Nov 5
Brazil
17 - Nov 19
United States of America
24 - Nov 26
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2023

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
3 - Mar 5
17 - Mar 19
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
31 - Apr 2
Australia Albert Park
28 - Apr 30
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
5 - May 7
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
19 - May 21
26 - May 28
Monaco Monte Carlo
2 - Jun 4
16 - Jun 18
30 - Jul 2
Austria Red Bull Ring
7 - Jul 9
United Kingdom Silverstone
21 - Jul 23
Hungary Hungaroring
28 - Jul 30
25 - Aug 27
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
1 - Sep 3
Italy Monza
15 - Sep 17
22 - Sep 24
20 - Oct 22
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
27 - Oct 29
3 - Nov 5
Brazil Interlagos
17 - Nov 19
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
24 - Nov 26
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Ferrari
  • Points 803
  • Podiums 15
  • Grand Prix 165
  • Country ES
  • Date of b. Sep 1 1994 (28)
  • Place of b. Madrid, ES
  • Weight 66 kg
  • Length 1.78 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar