Formula 1
Sainz: McLaren one of the most difficult F1 cars to overtake
Ferrari Formula 1 driver Carlos Sainz believe the cars of his former McLaren team are "probably the most difficult cars to overtake" after completing a frustrating British Grand Prix in Daniel Ricciardo's wake.
Edited: Aug 4, 2021, 11:44 AM
Copy link
Share on Viber
After leaving McLaren for Ferrari, Sainz has often encountered his former team on track as the two outfits battle over third place in F1's 2021 constructors' championship, a fight which is currently swinging Mclaren's way by just 15 points.
Last weekend's British Grand Prix was the latest race in which Sainz was fighting a McLaren, having shadowed Ricciardo for large spells of the Silverstone race as they fought over fifth place.
As had happened in earlier races, Sainz was unable to beat a McLaren in a straight fight as the McLaren's excellent straightline performance, driven by its Mercedes engine, proved too much for Ferrari.
"Unfortunately, it has happened to me now a few times that stuck behind a McLaren I am not able to pass," Sainz said after finishing sixth in Ricciardo's wake.
"It's not news, they have a very strong straightline speed, very strong deployment and power on exit of corners and it is probably one of the most difficult cars to overtake."
Read Also:
- Ricciardo past point of frustration with McLaren F1 struggles
- McLaren set for boost in Ferrari F1 fight with Hungarian GP upgrades
Sainz was left frustrated after an early overcut on Ricciardo failed to work out due to a poor pitstop from Ferrari, which left the Spaniard in the pitbox for ten extra seconds while his front-left wheel was tightened.
That ultimately meant Sainz would be stuck behind the Australian until the end.
"Yeah, unfortunately we were a step behind Ricciardo the whole race," he added.
"First on the medium, then we actually managed to overcut him with a very strong pace during the cleaner laps but unfortunately after the slow pitstop I had to go behind him again.
"On the hard tyre it was even more difficult to overtake him, because it just felt like the hard tyre in the high speed could not take the load of the dirty air and I was understeering a lot more, and I couldn't keep up with him in the high speed.
"Even though I had DRS I wasn't close enough to him to try to get him."
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Verstappen: Restrictive F1 "still a long way from IndyCar"
Next article Masi: F1 should be "proud" of way first sprint weekend worked
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Carlos Sainz
Williams has better cooling vests than anyone – Alex Albon
Formula 1
Formula 1
Williams has better cooling vests than anyone – Alex Albon
Lewis Hamilton: Younger F1 drivers are “more and more cautious” about racing in rain
Formula 1
Formula 1
Singapore GP
Lewis Hamilton: Younger F1 drivers are “more and more cautious” about racing in rain
More from
Ferrari
Ferrari slow on straights, struggling in corners: ‘One of the worst feelings’ for Charles Leclerc
Formula 1
Formula 1
Sao Paulo GP
33 min
Ferrari slow on straights, struggling in corners: ‘One of the worst feelings’ for Charles Leclerc
Why Toto Wolff sees Ferrari clash as "déjà vu" – and why escalation may be necessary
Formula 1
Formula 1
Sao Paulo GP
14 h
Why Toto Wolff sees Ferrari clash as "déjà vu" – and why escalation may be necessary
Latest news
Ferrari slow on straights, struggling in corners: ‘One of the worst feelings’ for Charles Leclerc
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Sao Paulo GP
33 min
Ferrari slow on straights, struggling in corners: ‘One of the worst feelings’ for Charles Leclerc
Brodie Kostecki wins Sandown to advance to Supercars finale
Supercars
SUPC Supercars
Sandown 500
49 min
Brodie Kostecki wins Sandown to advance to Supercars finale
Racing Bulls promises "right decision" as Liam Lawson's F1 future remains in doubt
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Sao Paulo GP
1 h
Racing Bulls promises "right decision" as Liam Lawson's F1 future remains in doubt
Kaden Honeycutt: "I put my nuts on the dash" to win Homestead and NASCAR Truck title
NASCAR Truck
NSTR NASCAR Truck
Homestead
7 h
Kaden Honeycutt: "I put my nuts on the dash" to win Homestead and NASCAR Truck title
Feature
Discover prime content
How F1’s rules got to be so complex
Formula 1
By Pat Symonds
How F1’s rules got to be so complex
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.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe