Carlos Sainz Jr wants answers on Toro Rosso's first-stint problems
Carlos Sainz Jr has called on Toro Rosso to finally understand why his car fails to perform at the start of a Formula 1 race, when laden with a full tank of fuel
The STR10 has recently looked strong through practice, to the extent that Sainz's team-mate Max Verstappen suggested only Mercedes showed stronger long-run pace .
For the most part that form has continued into qualifying, but come the early stages of a grand prix the package has been found wanting.
Sainz has confirmed the car's handling characteristics are very different at the start with 100kg of fuel on board compared to when it is even at least 20kg lighter.
"Our first [race] stint is still our weakness. This is what we need to look into and improve," said Sainz.
"I don't know why. It's a shame because as soon as you're done with high fuel, you put on another tyre and you have 70 to 80 kilograms of fuel, suddenly the car starts behaving normally and we have very decent pace.
"We tested some things during the in-season tests in Barcelona and in Austria, but we still don't know exactly why this is.
"The only bit we struggle with is the first stint. FP1, FP2, FP3 and qualifying, we are always strong.
"But with tyres that haven't been warmed up correctly because the warm-up lap isn't ideal, our car looks to be out of the window and we don't know how to get it back."
Sainz has confirmed it is a personal feeling with the car, adding: "It's about how comfortable I am with the car.
"I know in qualifying I can do whatever I want, turning the car wherever I want because I have the rear support, I have the confidence.
"But with 100 kilograms I don't know if I'm going to oversteer on entry, understeer on mid.
"It's a bit strange."
Previous article
Lewis Hamilton: McLaren's Formula 1 problems hard to watch
Next article
Williams should have been more aggressive
How Monza only added more questions to F1's sprint race conundrum
With two sprint races under its belt, Formula 1 must now consider its options for them going forward. While they've helped deliver exciting racing on Sundays, the sprints themselves have been somewhat lacking - creating yet another conundrum for F1 to solve...
Who should Alfa Romeo sign for 2022's F1 season?
OPINION: With Valtteri Bottas already signed up for 2022, all eyes are on the race for the second seat at Alfa Romeo next year. Antonio Giovinazzi is the current incumbent, but faces a tough competition from appealing short and long-term prospects
The "forced break" that was key to Ricciardo's Monza excellence
OPINION: Daniel Ricciardo has long been considered one of Formula 1’s elite drivers. But his struggles at McLaren since switching from Renault for 2021 have been painful to watch at times. Yet he’s recovered to banish those memories with a famous Monza win – built on a critically important foundation
How Verstappen is ruining his F1 title battle with Hamilton
OPINION: The Italian GP clash between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen followed a running theme in the 2021 Formula 1 title fight. Their close-quarters battles have often resulted in contact - and although Hamilton has shown a willingness to back off, Verstappen must learn to temper his aggression
Italian Grand Prix Driver Ratings
Two drivers produced maximum-score performances as, for the second year in a row, Monza threw up an unpredictable result that left several others ruing what might have been
Why Ricciardo was set for Monza F1 triumph even without Verstappen/Hamilton crash
The clash between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton was the major flashpoint the 2021 Italian Grand Prix will be remembered for. Yet by this point, race leader Daniel Ricciardo had already done the hard work that would put him in position to end his and McLaren's lengthy win droughts, on a memorable afternoon in Monza
Why Italian GP success is on for McLaren even if Verstappen dominates
For the second time in 2021, McLaren will line up for the start of a grand prix from the first row. It knows it has the chance of “glory” if things go well for Daniel Ricciardo and Lando Norris at the start of the 2021 Italian Grand Prix, but even if they just maintain their grid positions, signs from the rest of the Monza weekend suggest success is very possible for Formula 1’s other orange army
The F1 media favourite who lifted a broken Lotus
Graham Hill was nearly 30 when he made his Formula 1 debut. NIGEL ROEBUCK examines the life of a gifted racer whose talismanic personality defined an era
