Carlos Sainz ‘very disappointed’ with Ferrari issues that ruined Brazil GP hopes

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Carlos Sainz admits he was ‘very frustrated’ after the Sao Paulo Grand Prix as several technical issues ruined the Ferrari driver’s hopes of a strong race in Brazil on Sunday.

The 29-year-old could only take a P6 finish at Interlagos and crossed the line 50 seconds off race-winner Max Verstappen. He further finished 10 seconds behind Lance Stroll for P5 after an issue with the Spaniard’s paddle shifter arose in the final stages to add to his problems.

Technical gremlins blighted Sainz all weekend in Brazil as Ferrari failed to resolve issues with their launch system. The Scuderia realised their problem from the start of practice on Friday. But the Italian team could not resolve the issue that also cost Sainz at the start of the Sprint.

Ferrari star Sainz laments a disappointing Sao Paulo GP

Sainz ended the 24-lap Sprint at the Sao Paulo GP in P8, 35 seconds back from Verstappen. It gave the Madrid native one point before adding another eight to his tally on Sunday for 192 for the year. Yet it did not keep the Ferrari pilot above Lando Norris in the drivers’ standings.

Ferrari’s troublesome clutch put Sainz on the backfoot from the start of the Sao Paulo GP. He had managed to qualify in just eighth during the adverse weather that affected Friday’s final qualifying session. But a poor launch ensured he could not make any gains on those in front.

Technical issues robbed Sainz of a strong result in Brazil

A second launch after the start-line contact between Alex Albon and the Haas pair again saw Sainz limp off the line. His problems getting away from the grid even saw the Spaniard fume over the radio that he wanted to ‘bin’ the clutch. Further technical issues only grew his pain.

“Same as yesterday and the same as every single start that I’ve done this weekend,” he said, via quotes by Motorsport Week, on Sunday. “So, I’m very disappointed because it obviously cost us probably some points. We had a problem since the beginning of practice.

“We haven’t been able to really tune it and adapt it to the track and we’ve been struggling a lot with the getaways and yeah it’s a shame.”

Sainz now trails Norris for P5 in the drivers’ standings by three points ahead of the final two races. The McLaren drivers’ runners-up finish in the Sprint and the Sao Paulo GP moved the Briton above the Spaniard. Sainz arrived at Interlagos in P4 with a 14-point lead over Norris.