Sainz, on battling Leclerc at Monza: “This is what you want to see”

Carlos Sainz made a real run in front of the eyes of the ‘tifosi’ and the whole world. He showed his ambition to win a race that he knew was almost impossible to beat. He went at it from pole position, pushing from the start and defending against Verstappen and Pérez with heavy braking. They both got past him, but they had to fight hard to get it against a combative Carlos, who stuck out his elbows as much as he could, defending himself until his rubbers had said enough. In fact, that fight could have cost him the podium and marked his career. He had to pit early because he had a lot of tire wear against Max. His subsequent fight with ‘Checo’ also hurt him in that sense, and he came up with no wheels at the end. He has 5 turns to go, which he is defending tooth and nail against his teammate Charles Leclerc. They reached out to touch. Disaster can be handled in two companions close together. Or at least, that’s what it seems to the eye.

Carlos asked on the radio that he had to take the car home. And on the penultimate lap, the Ferrari wall told Leclerc he had to “run without risking”. That means, he tried but he didn’t go beyond the limit. In the next turn, Charles over-braked. Something could have happened, but nothing happened. And Carlos, despite the aforementioned radio message, downplayed the fight between teammates in the post-race press conference, where MD was present with the 3 protagonists of the podium. Sainz was third in a run. He was voted the best pilot of the day and he punched the table for those who still don’t see him at Charles’ level.

For Carlos, the fight with Charles is what you “want to see” in an F1 race, two drivers “on the edge” fighting for a key position such as a podium finish at the house of Ferrari wearing a red jumpsuit.

“Obviously, I’m very happy. A third position in Monza in front of the ‘tifosi’ is what could do this weekend because we know that Red Bull will be faster today. This is a day to try. And I tried everything to keep them behind, especially in the first stint in front of Max. Maybe that could have cost me a podium because that caused more tire wear than it will run out without a fight”, said Sainz, clarifying that this is the reason why he arrived without tires, exactly at the end of the stints.

“I was always under a lot of pressure, first from Max, then from ‘Checo’ and then from Max and I was able to take that third position to the end. We did it but it was very difficult, very complicated,” he added after a career without rest.

“Between lap 10 and 12 I had a little trouble with the left rear tire. And at that point I saw that I was wearing the tires too much, maybe by avoiding Max I damaged that tire too much and then I had to suffer for the rest of the race because I had to pit early to put the hard. I was hoping to degrade the tire, but I pushed really, really hard.” he commented, making it clear that whatever happened, he wanted to attack to try something so complicated.

“I had to push hard in the corners without DRS, try to keep my distance, defend myself in turn 1 and brake very hard. And in the end it was impossible for me to manage the tires. podium. But I don’t want to go home I’m with the feeling that I didn’t try. I tried to win, stay ahead,” he explained.

THE FIGHT WITH CHARLES LECLERC

“Obviously, the car that doesn’t come with DRS (he, at the front) always has the feeling of being faster and we both know we want to fight for the podium at Monza. There was a small fight and in the end it was clean. There are some good moves, even fights, but now I’m actually having fun fighting Max, Checo and Charles. I think it’s been a good day for F1 because it’s been a good show. I gave it my all to stay ahead.”He spoke about his last fight with Leclerc, downplaying it and not wanting to fuel controversy.

“I didn’t feel there was any danger. Obviously, with a teammate you are always more tense, you give more space, because the last thing we want in Monza is for the two Ferraris to touch against the ‘tifosi’. But I think we had a tough fight for an important position and we tried to manage it fairly and it was a good fight and I enjoyed it, like Max and ‘Checo’. I won’t lie: I’d rather attack than defend myself, but now I had to defend myself and I did.” He declared, also making sure that he would understand if the team sent orders not to fight Leclerc, but also what happened this time.

“I would have understood both things. It depends on the position you are in. It is something very subjective. I think it’s on the limit, but it’s been a good battle between teammates. Ultimately, this is what you want to see. And I was happy.”

“I am happy to have the title of ‘Minister of Defense’ of Spain and ‘Checo’ has the Mexican. We could have a dinner for politicians. It is a good title (laughs)”, he joked before that nickname that one received. of journalists present in the living room.