Carlos Sainz working on driving style to close gap with top drivers

The Formula 1 Mexico City Grand Prix weekend started with the usual press conferences at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez on Thursday. Although, as imaginable, main topic was that relating to the budget cap gate scandal (the FIA is expected to provide details on this matter later today), there is someone who still remembers very well the events which took place last weekend in the United States Grand Prix at COTA in Austin.

That someone could only be Carlos Sainz who, after securing pole position thanks to a great qualifying lap on Saturday, had to prematurely retire from the race on Sunday due to Mercedes’ George Russell who took the Ferrari driver out of the race with a more than optimistic maneuver on lap 1. The discussion between Carlos Sainz and the accredited press began from this episode, for which the Englishman apologized after the US GP.

Here are some of the Ferrari driver’s statements:

“It’s the kind of accident you expect to see in the middle of the grid, where there are a lot of cars in a small space. A contact of this kind is not often seen between the first four. I accepted Russell’s apology, I respect those who do it immediately after the race. But that doesn’t mean I’m happy or that I don’t think the FIA was too soft on him with the penalty.” – the Spaniard explained.

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“It was a perfect weekend until that moment, then my race was ruined by something I didn’t have control over. It is difficult to accept. For me it was one of the hardest moments of the season; I was convinced that I could do great things in the race as I had a great pace. This year everything that could happen happens to me. I hope that the bad luck is concentrated all this season to be able to feel comfortable the next one.” – Carlos Sainz continued.

Clearly the former McLaren driver, after the unfortunate outcome of the Austin race, is focused on the preparations for the Mexican weekend: “The fact of being able to get back in front after a very difficult start to the season and reinventing my driving style, with a different set-up, is positive. I was able to find myself in a fight with the two drivers currently in better shape, namely Charles and Max“.

“Being able to beat them for pole position is something that makes me confident for the future. If someone hits me in the first corners or if you are forced to retire it is obviously frustrating, but not so much because if you are fast Formula One sooner or later gives you back what it took away from you.” – the Ferrari driver added.

The points lost in the United States Grand Prix Carlos hopes to recover immediately at Sergio Perez’s home, with the first free practice session for the Mexican Grand Prix taking place later today.