F1 | Russian GP, ​​front row for Sainz: "I'm very happy, I did a good lap"

Second time for Carlos Sainz in qualifying for the Russian Grand Prix. In fact, the Spaniard came close to winning his first historic pole position on Saturday in Sochi, being overtaken at the end of Q3 by Lando Norris' McLaren which thus snatched the best performance from the SF21 number 55 by taking advantage of the improvement of the track that it was getting dryer and dryer.

However, Sainz can be satisfied with what he showed on the track and tomorrow, also given the long straight that separates the starting grid from turn 1, he will be able to try to worry his former teammate with a look however towards the mirrors where he will have to contain the attacks of George Russell and Lewis Hamilton.

"I'm really happy. From the beginning qualifying was very complicated, but immediately after Q2 I understood that there was a possibility of using slicks – Sainz admitted – We had a great strategy, doing two laps at the end to get the slicks up to temperature and then we kicked it around quite hard. Unfortunately I was one of the first to cross the finish line and this did not allow us to fully exploit the track conditions, but it was still a good lap".

Then analyzing the performance of the SF21 seen so far in Sochi he said: “This weekend we seem in better shape, probably the worst conditions for us were the intermediate ones. Before Q3 we had some problems to resolve, but in the dry we were competitive. Clearly there are the two Mercedes and the two Red Bulls further back who are much faster tomorrow and we expect them to overtake many cars, but we will fight and try to have fun".

Sainz then discussed the strategy in view of the start of the GP: “I hope to be able to overtake Lando at the start, perhaps taking advantage of the slipstream. Starting on dirt is penalizing here, so I have to try to prepare well tonight to make sure I don't lose too much at the start so I can take the slipstream, to overtake him or at least defend myself".