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Sainz not expecting to beat Gasly in championship standings

Published on 11 Aug 2019 14:19
6
By: Fergal Walsh

Carlos Sainz has played down his chances of topping Pierre Gasly in the championship standings at the end of the year.

Sainz is currently seventh in the drivers' championship, five points down on the Red Bull driver who is struggling to find speed in his first year with the energy drink squad.

McLaren has enjoyed a strong first half to the season, and are the clear midfield leaders in the constructors' standings, holding a 39 point lead over Toro Rosso in fourth place.

Sainz believes his results are a result of how consistent McLaren are, but doesn't think he will be ahead of Gasly at the end of the year.

“I don’t think that’s going to last much, unfortunately, but it just shows how well we’re doing at the moment and how consistent we are since Baku,” Sainz said, quoted by Crash.net. “I don’t know how many points I’ve got, but it’s been incredible.

“The first three races, we were very unlucky, things didn’t come together, but since Baku the hard work over the winter, the hard work that I spend in the factory in Woking, it’s just paying off a lot.

"We keep performing every weekend with great strategy, great pit stops, good on Sundays, and that’s how it should be and what we need to keep doing.”

Sainz added that he doesn't think McLaren will continue to streak away from the midfield pack amid a tight battle, as he expects the other teams to continue pushing car developments.

"I don’t think we’re going to be able to break out of the midfield in the second half of the season. We might bring a few tenths to the car which would be great, but everyone is going to bring them, so we need to be careful,” he said.

“What we need to make sure is that we learn the right steps to do on the car this year, and learn them from next year. I think that’s the main target for the second half of the season, learn about this car to make sure we put all the things in the right place for next year’s car.”

Kean

Posts: 692

My first thought when I read the headline was “I kinda am”

1
Aug 11 2019 - 17:20

F1 News Carlos Sainz Jr Pierre Gasly McLaren Red Bull Racing

Replies (6)

calle.itw

Posts: 8,527
I legit wasn't aware that Gasly was so low down in the ratings, in a RBH... But honestly, it shouldn't be too hard for Sainz to get ahead. Just overtake him in the races and you're golden. He somehow seems very unable to race other cars.
- + 0
- Aug 11 2019 - 14:36
- Kean
  
  Posts: 692
  My first thought when I read the headline was “I kinda am”
  + 1
  
  Aug 11 2019 - 17:20
- Ram Samartha
  
  Posts: 1,172
  Yeah, me too. He's got to say that while secretly saying "I'm gonna crush him!" Along with McLaren, Sainz has kind of been the standout driver so far this season. Norris is getting the headlines and Sainz is getting the points.
  + 0
  
  Aug 12 2019 - 01:08
- Kean
  
  Posts: 692
  well now he's most likely gonna pass him since Albon will take his place in Red Bull
  + 0
  
  Aug 12 2019 - 12:50
- calle.itw
  
  Posts: 8,527
  Most likely... Jesus that was a pretty bad call from Marko. I get ditching Gasly, I don't get putting Albon there when he needs more time to develop. At least put the torpedo in the other seat...
  + 1
  
  Aug 12 2019 - 14:22
mcbhargav

Posts: 1,332
“In your face Marko”.
- + 0
- Aug 12 2019 - 05:14