Sainz urges F1 to learn from ‘properly scary’ crash

Mark Scott
Carlos Sainz McLaren

Carlos Sainz McLaren

Carlos Sainz wants Formula 1 to learn from the “properly scary” crash that led to a second red-flagged race in a row.

The start of the Tuscany Grand Prix was absolute chaos. Just as the first Safety Car period ended because of first-lap incidents involving Pierre Gasly, Kimi Raikkonen, Romain Grosjean and Max Verstappen…and a separate clash between Sainz and Vettel,  the race had to be halted.

But when the race went ‘green’, leader Valtteri Bottas, who had passed pole position sitter Lewis Hamilton off the start line, backed the pack up while warming his tyres and the concertina effect saw several cars towards the rear run into each other.

Four drivers exited the race as a result of the crash – Kevin Magnussen, Nicholas Latifi, Antonio Giovinazzi and Sainz. Fortunately, it appeared all of the quartet were unhurt.

However, Sainz wants Formula 1 to learn lessons from an incident he has experienced before in the sport.

“Yeah I’m ok and looks like everyone else is ok so that’s the main thing,” Sainz said in the Mugello paddock.

“That crash was properly scary. We are doing 290, 300 kph at that point because everyone in front of me felt like we were racing again.

“Suddenly it looked like we were not racing any more and everyone started braking again. I saw everything and it was just too late, it was a big crash.

“This was a similar Safety Car restart to Brazil last year but it felt like everyone in front of me thought the race was going ahead again. We were all flat out then someone realised the race was not on.

“Something definitely to look into because the speeds we are going on the main straight are very, very big. The crash could have been much worse.

“One car could have sideways on the main straight and I could have just took him out. It is something to learn from here because it is not a nice feeling to do 280kph and suddenly see three cars in the middle of the straight completely stopped.”

On his first lap spin, Sainz added:  “I was fighting with the Racing Points. I got a really good start and was side by side.

“We had a very, very slight contact and all of a sudden I lost the car. I felt it was a race to take some risks because this weekend we have not been very happy [with the pace].

“But unfortunately it didn’t quite pay off.”

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