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sainz and leclerc on incident verstappen qualifying in mexico

Sainz sides with Verstappen on backing up issue: 'We all do'

29 October 2023 at 00:23
5
  • Olly Darcy
  • Editor

Carlos Sainz recorded for Max Verstappen after qualifying. The Dutchman is being investigated for exiting the pit lane too slowly, causing the Red Bull Racing driver to hold up several drivers. Sainz does not think Verstappen should receive a penalty for this.

Sainz defends Verstappen

According to the Ferrari driver, Verstappen is definitely not the only one who does this sometimes. "I don't want to cover a rival here because he's starting next to us, and he's the favourite for tomorrow, but we all do it. We all actually slow down at the end of the pit lane to create an eight-second gap to the car in front," began Sainz. This gap is created by the drivers to avoid being affected by the dirty air from the previous car.

Verstappen slowed tremendously when exiting the pits but was not overtaken by the drivers behind him, which is also normal, according to the Spaniard. "You expect everyone behind you not to overtake you because they also need to open an eight-second gap to you. I haven't seen what he did. Maybe he was even naughtier than that. I think we are all in the same boat when it comes to pit exit."

Leclerc also backs Verstappen

Like Sainz, Charles Leclerc also stands up for the Dutchman. "I haven't seen the situation. I cannot judge it. We all do the same thing where we are trying to take the gap at that point because it's the only place where we can do it [at the end of the pit lane]," the Monegasque explained.