Sainz hindered by neck pain during F1 Miami GP after Friday crash

Ferrari Formula 1 driver Carlos Sainz revealed he was still hindered by neck pain during the Miami Grand Prix following his heavy crash in Friday practice.

Carlos Sainz, Ferrari, 3rd position, celebrates on the podium with Champagne

Sainz suffered a nasty shunt in Friday's second free practice session, crashing into the unprotected concrete wall on the outside of Turn 14.

The Spaniard managed to rebuild his confidence on Saturday and qualified second behind teammate Charles Leclerc.

From there he was forced to let Red Bull's eventual race winner Max Verstappen by at the start, but he then held off the second Red Bull of Sergio Perez, despite the Mexican enjoying at tyre advantage at the end of the race.

Sainz crossed the line in third some eight seconds behind Verstappen to take the final podium spot.

Speaking immediately after the inaugural Miami Grand Prix, Sainz revealed he was still feeling the consequences of Friday's heavy hit, admitting he was struggling with neck pain during Sunday's sweltering race.

"I've been better," he said.

"Obviously, after the crash from Friday I still had a bit of a neck pain going into the race, but I had to manage it and I fought through it.

"Especially with Checo on the end on the medium tyre, it was very difficult to keep him behind, but we managed to keep the podium, which is a decent result."

Read Also:
Carlos Sainz, Ferrari F1-75, Sergio Perez, Red Bull Racing RB18

Carlos Sainz, Ferrari F1-75, Sergio Perez, Red Bull Racing RB18

Photo by: Carl Bingham / Motorsport Images

Even at the best of times Sunday's much anticipated event became an extremely physical challenge for the drivers due to the bumpy nature of the racetrack, and South Florida's heat and humidity.

Sainz, who is still looking for his first win, so far struggled to get on top of the Ferrari F1-75 and match teammate Leclerc, but at least ended a run of two consecutive DNFs with a third podium of his 2022 season.

"It wasn't easy at all," he acknowledged. "It's been a tough race with the tyres, with the heat. The car was moving and sliding a lot.

"But in the end, we got what we deserved I think, which is a decent P3, and we can build it up from here. I want more but it's not bad."

shares
comments

Leclerc hopes F1 upgrades can help Ferrari make step in Spanish GP

Alonso loses points finish with post-race Miami GP penalty

How football has posed difficult questions for F1

How football has posed difficult questions for F1

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
GP Racing

How football has posed difficult questions for F1 How football has posed difficult questions for F1

The fans that offer a ray of light in an increasingly partisan F1

The fans that offer a ray of light in an increasingly partisan F1

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Japanese GP
Jake Boxall-Legge

The fans that offer a ray of light in an increasingly partisan F1 The fans that offer a ray of light in an increasingly partisan F1

Japanese Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023

Japanese Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Japanese GP
Alex Kalinauckas

Japanese Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023 Japanese Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023

How Verstappen’s crushing Japanese GP win showed Singapore was a blip

How Verstappen’s crushing Japanese GP win showed Singapore was a blip

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Japanese GP
Jake Boxall-Legge

How Verstappen’s crushing Japanese GP win showed Singapore was a blip How Verstappen’s crushing Japanese GP win showed Singapore was a blip

Why the reality of F1 engineering debriefs isn't what Drive to Survive makes out

Why the reality of F1 engineering debriefs isn't what Drive to Survive makes out

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
British GP
GP Racing

Why the reality of F1 engineering debriefs isn't what Drive to Survive makes out Why the reality of F1 engineering debriefs isn't what Drive to Survive makes out

How Tsunoda has eliminated a crucial F1 limitation

How Tsunoda has eliminated a crucial F1 limitation

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Japanese GP
GP Racing

How Tsunoda has eliminated a crucial F1 limitation How Tsunoda has eliminated a crucial F1 limitation

How McLaren has revamped its F1 team to become a contender again

How McLaren has revamped its F1 team to become a contender again

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Japanese GP
GP Racing

How McLaren has revamped its F1 team to become a contender again How McLaren has revamped its F1 team to become a contender again

Why precedent doesn’t favour Massa’s F1 legal challenge

Why precedent doesn’t favour Massa’s F1 legal challenge

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
GP Racing

Why precedent doesn’t favour Massa’s F1 legal challenge Why precedent doesn’t favour Massa’s F1 legal challenge

Subscribe