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Formula 1 Italian GP
Drivers risk looking like "idiots" with Monza slipstreaming - Sainz
Carlos Sainz thinks there is too much risk of drivers looking like an "idiot" for teams to try out slipstreaming tactics at the Italian Grand Prix this weekend.
Jonathan Noble
Edited: Aug 31, 2017, 11:43 AM
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The combination of long straights, plus the high drag from Formula 1's 2017 cars, means there could be competitive gains to be made if teammates can help each other with a tow in qualifying.
That was what McLaren tried to do in Belgium last weekend, when Stoffel Vandoorne assisted Fernando Alonso in the team's attempts to get through to Q3.
But despite the fact a few extra tenths of laptime could make a big difference in the tight midfield, Toro Rosso's Sainz is sceptical about making slipstreaming work.
"It is something that can be a bit of a curveball sometimes if you don't do it perfectly," he said during an event for Toro Rosso sponsor Acronis ahead of the Italian GP.
"I think McLaren was a very special situation, because one of the drivers was taking a massive penalty, and he was anyway going to start last. So they really went for it because it made sense.
"For others, you can either be a hero or an idiot if you don't do it properly. So it is something very, very tricky to put together."
Toro Rosso is well aware that Monza's power demands mean that it could struggle against its main rivals this weekend, but it has not totally given up on a good result.
Daniil Kvyat said: "It is not an easy track for us here. It is totally straightline here. I like the track but we are not the fastest in a straightline, so it is probably about finding the right compromise in downforce and how fast you can go in the corners/straightline.
"We can still fight for good positions here if you get everything right on strategy. But in theory it is not the best track for us. But we still can deliver something good if we get everything perfect."
Renault progress
Kvyat also made clear that he was not impressed by Renault's lack of development progress this year compared to Mercedes and Ferrari.
"This year's Renault has been quite okay in the beginning, but to be honest there is some lack of development compared to Mercedes and Ferrari," he said.
"If we are honest, there is still something missing. But I think they will always keep working and if they find something, they will find something quite big. But it hasn't happened so far."
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