Williams’ Carlos Sainz reflects on his disaster F1 Mexico City GP after the Spaniard endured multiple penalties en route to a disappointing DNF in the closing stages.
Williams’ Carlos Sainz endured a difficult and disappointing outing in Mexico City last weekend. Starting from a lowly P12 carrying a penalty from Austin, the Spaniard found himself caught up at turn 1. With space at a premium, Sainz came together with VCARB’s Liam Lawson, sustaining damage.
Speaking after the Grand Prix, Sainz explained that damage sustained at the start cost him dearly throughout the Grand Prix. Having endured a difficult first stint managing severe vibrations, the extent of the damage became clear when he pitted.
“Yeah, basically we had a contact at turn 1 which damaged our rim of the first set of tyres,” he recalled. “Which was giving massive vibrations and in the first thing I couldn’t push and the tyres were damaged.
“Basically after this we were compromised by not having all the sensors in the tyres, so every time we were going in the pit lane we were having a pit limiter issue and because of that we ended up always having a penalty every time we were going through a pit lane.”
Elaborating on the incident, Sainz explained that his penalty from his collision with Antonelli in Austin, placed him in a dangerous position. Reflecting on the race as a whole, Sainz was positive about Williams’ F1 pace, despite calling the event a disaster.
“Here probably by starting P12 we paid the penalty of Austin,” he said following the Grand Prix. “Which when you start P12 this melee in turn 1 you are a lot more exposed. So starting from P7 probably we would be easier on the points today, but we were too unlucky.
“We were already P15, P14 with one drive through, 5 second penalty, it was a disaster. We were very quick today, very quick that weekend, but that slight contact in turn 1 compromised the rest of our race. [I] was very quick, very fast, recovering every time we were getting a penalty, we were on our way to the points and we had another penalty and it was a disaster.
“I think honestly we are in a very good moment with the car and the team, I think we can score a lot of points.”
When questioned further about his turn 1 incident, which Lawson was unhappy with, Sainz put it down as a racing incident. He explained that a number of drivers were involved, all avoiding each other, ultimately causing him to collide with Lawson. Alonso tapped the back of Ocon’s car, sending him towards the Spaniard in the Williams.
“I think someone touched me, then I touched Liam, and it was like a domino effect.” he explained. “I think it was a disaster, I think Fernando sent it on the inside and made us all open the wheel, and everyone who tried to open the wheel crashed basically.
“I think it was one of those Mexico turn ones, everyone trying to go for a gap, and it basically caused a big melee between all of us, it cost me, it probably cost Liam, it probably cost Fernando, it cost everyone.”
