Breaking news
Formula 1
Straightline speed "one of the best things" of 2019 - Sainz
Carlos Sainz says McLaren's straightline speed has been "one of the best things" about the start of the 2019 Formula 1 season.
Scott Mitchell
Published: Apr 25, 2019, 3:14 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Sainz has switched to McLaren from the Renault works team but is continuing for a third straight season using the French manufacturer's engines, because McLaren is a customer.
Renault's reliability remains dubious but it has made a performance step in 2019, while McLaren also appears to be able to run with less drag this year.
Asked by Motorsport.com about McLaren's Azerbaijan Grand Prix prospects at the high-speed Baku circuit, Sainz said: "We've definitely been more competitive on the straights in the first three races, but we were also running a bit less rear wing than our main competitors.
"So, if all of a sudden, everyone equalises their wings towards a more low-downforce set-up like we were running in China or Bahrain, suddenly we could see that straightline advantage going away for us.
"We need to be on top of that, need to make sure we create a bit more of a lower-downforce set-up, a lower downforce car, and still be competitive in the straights.
"Because to be honest it's been one of the best things this year, to finally be decent on the straights in my fifth year in Formula 1."
Rookie teammate Lando Norris has scored McLaren's only top-10 finish of the season, earning his first F1 points with sixth place in Bahrain.
Sainz is still waiting to break his McLaren duck because of an MGU-K failure in Australia, a puncture and a gearbox problem in Bahrain, and first-lap contact in China.
Asked by Motorsport.com if he was starting to put pressure on himself to secure a breakthrough result, Sainz said: "I'm very hungry for a result, I want a result as soon as possible - hopefully Baku – but I am not desperate for a result.
"I'm not desperate, because when you are comfortable with the car, when you are comfortable with the team, when you feel the support from the team, when you know you're fast with the car and that you're comfortable and that every time you hit the track you're fast, you know it's more a matter of time.
"It's just one race, where there's a freak thing is not going to happen to me, and the result is going to come.
"So no, I'm not concerned. I want it, I'm very hungry for that first points finish with McLaren and a top 10, top eight, top six, but no, I'm not desperate for it."
Carlos Sainz Jr., McLaren speaks with the media
Photo by: Andy Hone / LAT Images
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 Vettel explains mysterious 'we had it' radio remark
Next article Ferrari reveals upgrades to 2019 F1 car
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Scott Mitchell
Alfa Romeo must do better in "chaotic" races - Vasseur
Formula 1
Formula 1
Alfa Romeo must do better in "chaotic" races - Vasseur
Honda: Verstappen relationship 'like a young Senna'
Formula 1
Formula 1
Honda: Verstappen relationship 'like a young Senna'
Key team personnel shouldn't be F1 boss - Ferrari
Formula 1
Formula 1
Key team personnel shouldn't be F1 boss - Ferrari
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
McLaren
Why McLaren gave team order to Oscar Piastri in F1 US GP
Formula 1
Formula 1
United States GP
Why McLaren gave team order to Oscar Piastri in F1 US GP
Who slept worst last night: Lando Norris
Formula 1
Formula 1
United States GP
Who slept worst last night: Lando Norris
Latest news
NASCAR warned nearly the full field at Talladega for minimum speed violations
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Talladega II
2 h
NASCAR warned nearly the full field at Talladega for minimum speed violations
Carson Hocevar credits tow truck driver for saving his race at Talladega
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Talladega II
6 h
Carson Hocevar credits tow truck driver for saving his race at Talladega
Brad Keselowski to address questions about NASCAR future and RFK exit at Martinsville
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Martinsville II
7 h
Brad Keselowski to address questions about NASCAR future and RFK exit at Martinsville
Hamlin says Chevy teams 'suck at the teat' of Hendrick on superspeedways
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Talladega II
11 h
Hamlin says Chevy teams 'suck at the teat' of Hendrick on superspeedways
Feature
Discover prime content
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