Carlos Sainz looks to replicate Liverpool's triumph with home crowd in Spain
F1 News
Carlos Sainz will be the only Spanish driver on the grid for his home Grand Prix this weekend. The McLaren driver recalled Liverpool's Champions League triumph at home early this week for optimism ahead of racing in front of his home fans.
Sainz usually has Fernando Alonso to distract the fans in Barcelona, but for the first time this weekend, the attention will be fully focused on himself. During the drivers' press conference, Sainz was asked about how he is dealing with the added attention.
"It's incredible how time goes by so quickly, I remember my first year here in 2015 and I get to spend more time with the fans, it's brilliant. Probably this weekend I'll be busier, but it's not something that affects me too much or I notice in particular but it's not a bad thing," Sainz said.
"With what happened to Liverpool, you can see the crowd behind you and I think it will help me also."
Sainz has had some good results in Barcelona when driving for Renault, but he doesn't believe that will just simply transfer now he's in a McLaren.
"I think one of the main reasons for the points is because the car I was racing with was [faster] on this track. But I've been comfortable around this track, I like the track and the challenge with the fans behind me," Sainz added.