Sainz: Being ‘stuck in P7’ not sustainable

Jamie Woodhouse
Carlos Sainz has warned that the F1 midfield drivers won't wait forever for Formula 1 to become less predictable.

Carlos Sainz has warned that the F1 midfield drivers won't wait forever for Formula 1 to become less predictable.

McLaren’s Carlos Sainz has warned Formula 1 bosses that the midfield will not wait forever for them to make Formula 1 less predictable.

Kimi Raikkonen’s win for Lotus at the 2013 Australian Grand Prix remains the last time a non-Mercedes, Ferrari or Red Bull driver has won a race in Formula 1.

Sergio Perez’s podium at Baku in 2018 is also the only time a driver outside the top three teams has appeared on the podium in the last two seasons.

Despite finishing no higher than P6 this season, Sainz is currently best-of-the-rest P7 in the Drivers’ Championship, but after no podiums in 88 starts, he is starting to take notice of drivers like Marcus Ericsson who have quit Formula 1 and found success elsewhere.

“You see fellow drivers like Marcus [Ericsson] going to different series and immediately being on the pace and potentially winning races or being on the podium,” said Sainz Jr via Motorsport Week.

“Then you see yourself in Formula 1 and you’re stuck in P7… it’s something I haven’t got bored of as it’s only my fifth season but you think about Perez, [Nico] Hulkenberg, they’ve been here for many races and it’s something I struggle to feel is sustainable.

“It needs immediate change and it needs immediate refining in Formula 1 to change that trend.

“It’s not something that as racing drivers in the midfield we are going to be waiting here forever just finishing P7 in every race.

“I think it’s definitely something that needs to be addressed and hopefully 2021 they will make it happen.”

Sainz joined Williams racer George Russell in pointing out how MotoGP have used the regulations to create a tighter field.

“I know very well [Dorna Sports CEO] Carmelo Ezpeleta in MotoGP, I’ve spoken to him many times about what he’s done and how the manufacturers reacted to them tightening the rules with ECU, etc,” he explained.

“I think the main feedback is they were firstly sceptical obviously but now they are more happy than ever as they are fighting against more people and it makes the brand stronger, as they’re fighting against more brands, so Honda and [Marc] Marquez are even more happy.

“It’s a very good example and it’s something that I would like to see in the future in Formula 1.

“But I think Formula 1 is a different specie definitely, but I hope in the future we converse towards something a bit more driver dependent and not machine dependent.”

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