Sainz: McLaren one of the most difficult F1 cars to overtake
Ferrari Formula 1 driver Carlos Sainz Jr says his former team McLaren produces "probably the most difficult cars to overtake" after spending the British Grand Prix stuck behind Daniel Ricciardo.
Ferrari Formula 1 driver Carlos Sainz Jr says his former McLaren team produces "probably the most difficult cars to overtake" after spending the British Grand Prix stuck behind Daniel Ricciardo.
Since leaving McLaren for Ferrari over the off-season, Sainz has often encountered his former team on track as the two outfits battle over third place in F1's 2021 constructors' championship.
Last weekend's British GP was the latest race in which the Spaniard was locked in battle with a McLaren, having shadowed Ricciardo for large spells of the Silverstone race as they fought over fifth.
But as in the Bahrain season opener and the Spanish GP - where both times Ricciardo also kept him at bay - Sainz was unable to negate the McLaren's excellent straightline performance, aided by its switch to Mercedes power this year.
"Unfortunately, it has happened to me now a few times that stuck behind a McLaren I am not able to pass," Sainz said after finishing sixth at Silverstone.
"It's not news, they have a very strong straightline speed, very strong deployment and power on exit of corners and it is probably one of the most difficult cars to overtake."
Daniel Ricciardo, McLaren MCL35M, Carlos Sainz Jr., Ferrari SF21
Photo by: Charles Coates / Motorsport Images
Sainz was left frustrated after an early overcut on Ricciardo failed to work out due to a poor pitstop from Ferrari, which left the Spaniard in the pitbox for ten extra seconds while his front-left wheel was tightened.
That ultimately meant Sainz would be stuck behind the Australian until the end.
"Yeah, unfortunately we were a step behind Ricciardo the whole race," he added.
"First on the medium, then we actually managed to overcut him with a very strong pace during the cleaner laps but unfortunately after the slow pitstop I had to go behind him again.
"On the hard tyre it was even more difficult to overtake him, because it just felt like the hard tyre in the high speed could not take the load of the dirty air and I was understeering a lot more, and I couldn't keep up with him in the high speed.
"Even though I had DRS I wasn't close enough to him to try to get him."
Related video
Previous article
The signs that point to F1's rude health
Next article
Masi: F1 should be "proud" of way first sprint weekend worked
Hamilton at 100 wins: In his adversaries’ words
Some 18 drivers have finished runner-up to Lewis Hamilton on his way to 100 wins. Three of those recall their battles with Formula 1’s centurion and give their personal insights into the seven-time world champion on his rise to unchartered territory
Russian Grand Prix Driver Ratings
The 2021 Russian GP was decided by late-arriving rain that allowed some to climb and caused others to plummet. But the events which played out beforehand are equally significant when considering the all-important driver ratings
How Mercedes made the “blind faith” call that won Hamilton his 100 milestone at Sochi
Until rain turned the Russian Grand Prix on its head in the closing stages, Lando Norris was set to convert his first Formula 1 pole position into a maiden win. But having recovered well from being shuffled back at the start, Hamilton and his Mercedes team called the changing conditions spot-on for a landmark 100th F1 victory
Why momentum is again behind Australia’s aces
At the Italian Grand Prix Daniel Ricciardo turned around a troubled F1 season and, in F2, Oscar Piastri demonstrated once again that he is a potential star of the future. BEN EDWARDS weighs up the prospects of F1 having two Australian stars
The tough balancing act facing Schumacher’s Netflix film producers
Michael Schumacher is the latest sporting superstar to get the ‘Netflix treatment’, with a special documentary film airing on the US streaming giant’s platform this month. DAMIEN SMITH has the inside track on how the filmmakers gained access to tell the human story behind one of Formula 1’s most publicity-shy champions - while the man himself, for obvious reasons, is in absentia…
The times that suggest Verstappen should be confident of F1 Russian GP recovery
For the second race in a row, Mercedes has ended the first day of track action on top. It’s in a commanding position at the Russian Grand Prix once again – this time largely thanks to Max Verstappen’s upcoming engine-change grid penalty. But there’s plenty to suggest all hope is not lost for the championship leader at Sochi
The ‘backwards step’ that is the right move for Formula 1
OPINION: With its days apparently numbered, the MGU-H looks set to be dropped from Formula 1’s future engine rules in order to entice new manufacturers in. While it may appear a change of direction, the benefits for teams and fans could make the decision a worthwhile call
The floundering fortunes of F1’s many Lotus reboots
Team Lotus ceased to exist in 1994 - and yet various parties have been trying to resurrect the hallowed name, in increasingly unrecognisable forms, ever since. DAMIEN SMITH brings GP Racing’s history of the legendary team to an end with a look at those who sought to keep the flame alive in Formula 1
