Carlos Sainz gives verdict on Ferrari’s difficult qualifying and podium prospects in Spanish GP. Carlos Sainz's comments after qualifying for Spanish GP.

Ferrari, Spanish qualifying is a regret

With a third-row start at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmeló qualifying, Scuderia Ferrari has not set itself up ideally for Sunday’s Spanish Grand Prix. The Catalan track is notoriously difficult for overtaking, but in Maranello, they hope to fight at least for the podium, pushing out a Mercedes whose pace seems less promising based on the simulations performed in the free practice sessios. Frederic Vasseur and Charles Leclerc believe this, while Carlos Sainz focuses more on the start: without a strong start, the Spanish driver believes it will be difficult to aim for a top-3 finish tomorrow.

Carlos Sainz’s comments

“Before the weekend, I would have said this wasn’t a track where we could be very competitive because it’s a bit similar to China and Suzuka, where we were not strong,” the Spaniard commented to Sky Sport F1. “However, free practice sessions encouraged me, and I thought we could fight for pole, but once we got to Q2, we saw that Red Bull and McLaren had a bit more.”

“Podium? If we start well and get into the top-5, it’s possible. If we’re sixth after the first lap, it will become increasingly complicated, but I think if we are a bit further ahead, we can fight, especially considering how important strategy is.” – the Spaniard pointed out at the end of the qualifying session in Spain.

“Mercedes beat both of us by 30 milliseconds, and it’s certain that we can find these 30 milliseconds on this car or in our lap: the reality is, though, that they have improved a lot in the last few races, and we are slower. Now we have to start pushing because on these circuits they are stronger.” – Carlos Sainz concluded.