Sainz: Drivers "super frustrated" by wrong delta times in F1 qualifying
Carlos Sainz reckons drivers were "super frustrated" in the final part of qualifying ahead of the British Grand Prix after the wet weather left them with the wrong time deltas.
Although all three parts of qualifying required intermediate tyres for the duration, rain was intermittent, stopping for the end of Q1 before returning harder for the second session.
That meant the fastest times were set in the opening 18-minute gambit which left several drivers in Q2 and Q3 with the wrong benchmark delta lap time logged on their steering wheel dashboard readout.
Maiden Formula 1 pole-sitter Sainz, for example, was fourth fastest in Q1 owing to a 1m40.190s before topping the times in Q3 despite climbing to an eventual 1m40.983s.
As a result, for the drivers who progressed into the final shootout for pole position, as they assessed their pace on their final flying laps, it was unclear how competitive they would be.
That left Ferrari driver Sainz, fellow front-row starter Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc to share their complaints ahead of the qualifying press conference.
Carlos Sainz, Ferrari F1-75
Photo by: Glenn Dunbar / Motorsport Images
When asked by Motorsport.com to clarify the issues, a "super frustrated" Sainz revealed: "I went out in Q3 and because the fastest lap was done in Q1, your delta, you have that as a reference.
"Obviously Q1, the track was a lot drier, or rather less wet. It gets me, well I think it gets [all of] us, super frustrated to see that you're three seconds off your own pace.
"At some point in one straight, I asked my engineer to reset my delta on the steering [wheel] because I was getting really angry about this, and frustrated.
"We did a switch change and reset it and from there on, I just improved on myself looking at the dash. It helps."
Defending champion Verstappen reckoned he still had some grasp of his speed having judged it by how much he was able to cut the deficit to his Q1 delta, even if he was "always" over the time.
The Red Bull driver said: "My delta was still on [from Q1]. Of course, on my lap I was getting closer to it, but it was always on the plus side.
"At one point, you do figure out the trend of where you're losing time. But in general, that session there was a lot more standing water so a tiny few centimetres left or right, it could push you a lot wider than normal.
"I had a big moment. You had to be a lot more precise compared to Q1."
Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen trade stories after qualifying
Photo by: Glenn Dunbar / Motorsport Images
Related video
Hamilton condemns F1 fans booing Verstappen: "We're better than that"
Sainz surprised by British GP F1 pole as lap was "nothing special"
Newey: Not working with Ferrari, Hamilton and Alonso are 'emotional regrets'
Newey: Not working with Ferrari, Hamilton and Alonso are 'emotional regrets' Newey: Not working with Ferrari, Hamilton and Alonso are 'emotional regrets'
Why TV cameras didn't show Mercedes celebrating Hamilton's Singapore F1 podium
Why TV cameras didn't show Mercedes celebrating Hamilton's Singapore F1 podium Why TV cameras didn't show Mercedes celebrating Hamilton's Singapore F1 podium
How a passion for the past is driving McLaren's pursuit of F1 titles
How a passion for the past is driving McLaren's pursuit of F1 titles How a passion for the past is driving McLaren's pursuit of F1 titles
Espargaro fumes as Aprilia MotoGP reliability gremlins strike again
Espargaro fumes as Aprilia MotoGP reliability gremlins strike again Espargaro fumes as Aprilia MotoGP reliability gremlins strike again
How Alpine is preparing its new LMDh car for 2024 WEC season
How Alpine is preparing its new LMDh car for 2024 WEC season How Alpine is preparing its new LMDh car for 2024 WEC season
“Super-slow” Quartararo despondent after woeful Yamaha sprint
“Super-slow” Quartararo despondent after woeful Yamaha sprint “Super-slow” Quartararo despondent after woeful Yamaha sprint
Marquez: "Time will tell" if Honda MotoGP changes are enough
Marquez: "Time will tell" if Honda MotoGP changes are enough Marquez: "Time will tell" if Honda MotoGP changes are enough
When Mansell and Senna settled their differences in an F1 pitlane scuffle
When Mansell and Senna settled their differences in an F1 pitlane scuffle When Mansell and Senna settled their differences in an F1 pitlane scuffle
The F1 treasure map where Hamilton hopes Mercedes hits gold
The F1 treasure map where Hamilton hopes Mercedes hits gold The F1 treasure map where Hamilton hopes Mercedes hits gold
The two F1 rules problems Perez’s recent mishaps expose
The two F1 rules problems Perez’s recent mishaps expose The two F1 rules problems Perez’s recent mishaps expose
How football has posed difficult questions for F1
How football has posed difficult questions for F1 How football has posed difficult questions for F1
The fans that offer a ray of light in an increasingly partisan F1
The fans that offer a ray of light in an increasingly partisan F1 The fans that offer a ray of light in an increasingly partisan F1
Japanese Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023
Japanese Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023 Japanese Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023
How Verstappen’s crushing Japanese GP win showed Singapore was a blip
How Verstappen’s crushing Japanese GP win showed Singapore was a blip How Verstappen’s crushing Japanese GP win showed Singapore was a blip
Why the reality of F1 engineering debriefs isn't what Drive to Survive makes out
Why the reality of F1 engineering debriefs isn't what Drive to Survive makes out Why the reality of F1 engineering debriefs isn't what Drive to Survive makes out
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.