F1 News
"We were definitely the fourth fastest car this weekend"
Haas and Renault were the two teams fighting for fourth-place last season, but this year it looks like McLaren has the strongest grip. After a race which placed Carlos Sainz in 6th, the McLaren driver describes the last few days as "well-executed".
The pain was reaching an all-time high 12 months ago when McLaren struggled to find any form after introducing the Renault engine. However, this season they seem to have dramatically improved and those good vibes are felt in Sainz's debrief.
“Very happy after a strong and well-executed race. I made another good start and once I was in P6 I controlled the race, controlled the pace, and drove to the target lap times the team was giving me to manage the tyres," Sainz said.
"It was a simple race from that point of view and one of those days where everything comes together and produces the maximum result available, so well done to everyone."
“We were definitely the fourth fastest car this weekend – in qualifying and the race – so happy with that. Congratulations to the team for the hard work all weekend and for another double point finish. We just need to keep pushing hard to improve at every race.”
Sainz's P6 solidifies his drivers' championship position as the best of the rest driver. With Pierre Gasly picking up just one point, the Spaniard is breathing down the neck of the Red Bull driver.