Carlos Sainz was 57 thousandths from pole at Suzuka, but this short distance has taken him to the second row. The Madrid native will start third, behind Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc.
Carlos Sainz will start in third position on the grid at the Japanese GP, eighteenth date of the season. In a tight classification in which the first three have finished separated by 57 thousandths, andhe Spanish rider has paid dearly for a small skid at the exit of the Casio triangle on his last lap of Q3.
After a dry FP3, Sainz and his teammate Leclerc managed to get through the first two qualifying sessions without major problems. Although the Monegasque suffered more than necessary in Q2 for saving a set of soft tires, the two Ferrari drivers achieved this goal and they faced Q3 with the intention of achieving polea purpose that they did not achieve for a breath.
“We have been able to store a new set of soft tires in case we need it”
At this point, Sainz was a bit disappointed: «Maybe I overheated the tires before the last chicane and that cost me time. In the end it is another half a tenth that could have been won there. I’m a bit tired of being half a tenth off pole and we have a few classifications like this ».
«Somehow the pole always falls into the hands of Max or Charles and not mine. I hope to achieve at least one before the end of the season. I think we found a good balance in free practice, in the end it depends on who gets that half a tenth. Today it was Max’s turn and at other circuits it was our turn. ANDeverything is very tight» added Sainz.
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maximum equality
A small skid in the last corner. This has been what has separated Carlos Sainz from pole position in Japan: «It was a very clean lap until the last corner, in which I have slipped a little. Maybe I used the rear tires too much. The #55 insisted: «It’s a shame to be half a tenth from pole».
A circumstance that the Ferrari driver has lamented twice, assuring that “I have had many classifications in which we are half a tenth, very close to the first. I sincerely hoped you could fall a little more on my side towards the end of the season to be able to get a pole”.
looking to tomorrow
Despite the fact that he will start on the second row of the grid, Carlos Sainz knows that there are opportunities to progress, more so if the rain is present: «Tomorrow the weather will play its role. We know it’s going to rain, but we don’t know the time or if it will be after the race. There are many things that can happen tomorrow».
In this line, the Spaniard has concluded: «There is also a great opportunity to achieve something positive by starting third.. We have been able to store a new set of soft tires in case we need them. We are in a good position to fight with Max».
Photos: Scuderia Ferrari