Carlos Sainz: “We are back to reality after two very good weekends”

MADRID, 23 Sep. (EUROPA PRESS) –

The Spanish driver Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) has assured that they have returned “to reality” in the Japanese Grand Prix, where he will start sixth this Sunday, after “two very good weekends” in Monza and Singapore, and considers that both McLaren are “one step ahead” at the Suzuka International Circuit.

“We are a little back to reality after two very good weekends. Here we are where we were before Monza, a little in the fight with Mercedes and McLaren a little ahead,” he said in statements to DAZN.

Furthermore, the man from Madrid confessed that they are experiencing “a slightly complicated weekend.” “I’ve been playing a lot with the setup, trying to find things, making mistakes, going back. From playing so much I haven’t been able to find the optimal setup for Suzuka,” he said.

“The qualifying lap wasn’t anything out of this world either. So we’re sixth, but I think that’s where the car is more or less today, between fourth and sixth, there wasn’t much else. The McLarens seem to be a little step ahead “he added.

Finally, he analyzed the performance of the McLarens. “On high-load circuits and a lot of fast corners they are better than us. In sector 1, Red Bull and McLaren are one step ahead. In terms of race pace, we will see what happens tomorrow. We are all quite equal, but I do hope it will be a race of holding on where we came out more or less, because the McLaren and ‘Checo’ go much faster. It will be a tough race with the Mercedes,” he concluded.