Azerbaijan GPSainz's Biggest Fear for the Race Isn't the Tires: “We Had Problems with It on Circuits Like This”
Carlos Sainz will start from the front row at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, and his main goal will be to achieve his first podium with the Williams team. However, there is one aspect that particularly worries the Spanish driver.
The Baku circuit is especially tricky with mild temperatures, as the endless straight causes the tires to cool down significantly, complicating grip in the first two sectors of the circuit.
This aspect played an important role in the qualifying, but the wind and intermittent rain created an even more complex scenario that ultimately led to six red flags.
Amid all that chaos emerged Carlos Sainz, who secured a spot on the front row alongside poleman Max Verstappen. And the truth is that the Williams driver was not at all cautious about this Sunday’s race, stating that his goal will be to stay on the podium.
«I have always enjoyed racing against Max, since my years at Toro Rosso»
The Brakes
Now, it won't be easy. And not only because drivers with more competitive cars will likely make their way up. Also because Williams has its own challenges to overcome. The first of these is the brakes, which have caused some issues for the British team on fast circuits with long straights.
«It hasn't been the calmest weekend for me», revealed Sainz after qualifying. «I have been struggling with the braking. With this car, we are having some problems with the brakes on demanding circuits like Canada and this one».
«But today in qualifying I felt good. And most importantly, we maintained the car's consistency throughout the weekend, he added. «From the second position, we will try to keep it consistent, see the car's pace compared to each of the leaders who will try to progress. But if we look at our long runs from yesterday, we were actually quite fast. So I hope we can give it a shot tomorrow».
The Wind
Another factor that played a decisive role in qualifying was the wind, especially strong this weekend in Baku.
Carlos Sainz explained that «nowadays, F1 cars are much more complicated to drive with wind than in wet conditions, for example, it is completely unpredictable. One must consider that a car mid-corner depends solely on its aerodynamic load, and 30 or 40 km/h of wind drastically changes the aerodynamic load».
«And that is what we had on each lap, a different level of aerodynamic load in the corner», added the Madrid native. «It caught a lot of people out today. I don't think people at home understand how tough the conditions were today and how easy it was to have an accident. Having the 20 best drivers in the world, and seven or eight of them crashing, tells you how complicated the session was».
Duel with Max Verstappen
The great result in qualifying will allow Carlos Sainz to measure himself against Max Verstappen at the start of the race. And while the Williams driver does not expect to be a rival for the Dutchman, he appreciates being back in a position he enjoyed several times during his time at Ferrari.
«I think during my days at Ferrari we shared some front rows. I have always enjoyed racing against Max, since my years at Toro Rosso», reminisced Sainz. «We had a very competitive year, full of learning for both of us. I think it built us as the characters and drivers we are today».
«He will be a great F1 driver and will probably end up being one of the most successful in history», he joked about the four-time champion. «I am proud to share the front row with guys I have been racing against my whole life. I think it’s great competition, but that’s what Formula 1 is about.
Fotos: Williams Racing