Sainz: McLaren already ten seconds behind rivals on strategy

  • Published on 27 Oct 2019 10:47
  • comments 0
  • By: Fergal Walsh

Carlos Sainz believes that McLaren could find itself in trouble early on in the Mexican Grand Prix as it is starting the race on the soft compound.

The red-walled soft tyre dropped off in performance very early on in the race stints during Friday practice, while the medium compound sustained graining for many teams.

McLaren attempted to advance into the final stage of qualifying on the medium compound, which would allow it to then start the race on that tyre.

However, it was forced onto the soft compound in Q2, while its rivals who failed to make it through will be able to take the race start on a tyre of their choosing - meaning they can go longer into the race while also making it to the end on a more comfortable strategy.

"Starting tomorrow on the soft is the worst scenario, that's why we tried going through on the medium," Sainz said. "It means the one-stop will probably be extremely tricky.

"If the medium doesn't grain tomorrow, there's people going to be trying to do a one-stop very easily. We will see what we need to do. 

"It's going to be a challenging day tomorrow, hopefully, we can use our pace advantage to beat them. On strategy, we are already ten seconds down on them."

Sainz unlocking car potential in second half of 2019

In the final practice session on Saturday morning that was held in damp conditions, Sainz displayed strong pace, ending up just under half a second down on the session-topping pace.

Sainz says his performance and those in recent events has been down to finding a strong balance with his car in the second half of the season, which is allowing him to push with confidence. 

"I think the key is how we've developed the car through the year, finally in the second half of the year, I've found a set-up that suits me for qualifying and the race," he said.

"That's why in FP3, when you are comfortable with the car, you can jump and be better. So I'm very happy about that."

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 1,173
  • Podiums 23
  • Grand Prix 202
  • 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