Sainz is realistic: 'Red Bull are the favourites'

Carlos Sainz has the best starting position for the United States Grand Prix as the polesitter. But it will certainly not be a piece of cake: the Spaniard has Max Verstappen next to him on the front row of the grid. In the long runs, his Red Bull seems just a bit faster, as is often the case this season.

Sainz is realistic, he revealed after qualifying during the press conference. While he does say he will do everything he can to stay ahead, he knows the strength of his direct opponent's car. "They are favourites in that way for tomorrow because they always manage to put a very good Sunday together with tyre management, with race execution. So it will be a good test to try and try and do it. I would love to win tomorrow. This is my target and that's what I'm going to try. But I'm also realistic that it's going to be tough out there."

Front row

Sainz seems to be the main trump card for Ferrari, as teammate Charles Leclerc has to take a grid penalty due to an engine change. That seems to make him immediately hopeless for victory, as at the Circuit of the Americas the race is always won from the front row of the grid. In any case, Sainz is feeling good, after a long year in which he basically always played second fiddle behind the duo of Verstappen and Leclerc.

"For some reason or another, I was falling half a tenth short, and I really wanted to make one stick and today was great to get it and get that out of the way," Sainz said