McLaren’s Carlos Sainz says he was on a mission in F1 Azerbaijan GP to score his first points as Lando Norris talks about some nervous moments in the grand prix.
Even though both the McLaren drivers set a Top 10 pace in the practice sessions, Sainz cautioned that the car still wasn’t there as per his liking and the position wasn’t reflecting the true result. However, the pace was genuine as both made it in Q3 on Saturday.
It was a solid start then by Sainz to get on the tail of Racing Point’s Sergio Perez – in what became eighth – after passing Toro Rosso’s Daniil Kvyat and also McLaren teammate Norris to gain track position in the opening 10 laps.
But the Spaniard went slightly longer in his stint which undone his efforts as he lost out to Norris in the pit stop but crucially stayed ahead of Kvyat. It was then for the duo to be chasing Perez but all three ran on a similar pace in most of the grand prix.
The VSC for Red Bull Racing’s Pierre Gasly changed the fight a bit as Norris was asked to pit as the team tried to use fresh soft compound to challenge the Mexican but the gamble failed as the British racer eventually finished behind teammate in eighth.
For Sainz, he ended up seventh but he said he was getting ready to attack on Perez after the VSC the Mexican found pace to pull away. “The first stint I was on a mission just trying to get as many people as I could,” said Sainz.
“After eight laps, I was already where I wanted to be which was attacking the Force India (Racing Point). Then he pitted, a lap or two early and I tried to go long but it didn’t quite work as the graining was too severe and I came out behind Lando.
“In the second stint, Perez started saving tyre which we all did and suddenly in the end when the VSC came in, I don’t know what happened but Perez had revival of pace as he found half a second, which I certainly did not have at that point.
“Its a shame because I was going to attack him.” While Norris lost out in the end due to a gamble, the British racer was happy to get the double points result for the team. He revealed off nervous moments at the starts and also towards the end with some wall hits.
“It was a good race,” he said. “Our first double points finish which I think is a pretty much positive thing as a team as we had good pace – although it still not good enough when compared to Red Bull and whoever else.
“It was a good weekend especially after China. It was a fun race as I was a bit nervous in the first few corners for how tight it was getting but I had a good start and good couple of corners and it led to a not too boring race.
“I couldn’t overtake, so it wasn’t as exciting as I would have it liked to, but I enjoyed with another points finish.” The British seemed slightly subdued after losing out to Sainz but overall McLaren sits well in fourth with 18 points, one ahead of Racing Point.
Here’s how the Azerbaijan GP panned out
Daniel Ricciardo says it was ‘urgency and panic’ in Baku incident
Here’s Charles Leclerc on not pushing in second/third stint
Robert Kubica reveals he nearly crashed in Turn 2 at Azerbaijan GP start
Lewis Hamilton was cautious at start as he played a team game
Sergio Perez and Lance Stroll on Racing Point’s double points haul
Max Verstappen didn’t risk move on Sergio Perez after being passed
