Sainz expects more Verstappen battles

Toro Rosso driver Carlos Sainz has admitted that he would not be surprised if he and his teammate Max Verstappen ever got into another battle during the course of the 2016 season.

Sainz, who stood his ground against Verstappen in Melbourne and refused to let him pass, said that if the team does not order him to move aside then he will fight as hard as he can for his position, especially if they are on the same race strategy.

"We are always very close on track, in qualifying and everything, so the result is defined by the small details at the end," the Spaniard told crash.net.

"There will be occasions probably that will be like in Melbourne, but I think hopefully I am mature enough to handle the situation to get the most out of my personal result and the result of the team.

"In the end, that's what we're here for, to help the team score P5 in the championship and I'm sure that if we manage that, Toro Rosso and Red Bull will be really happy with both of us.

"If we are not on the same strategy, we are on different strategies and Max is coming from behind on the supersofts and I'm on the medium there would be no point in fighting him. If we are on the same strategy, if we are both on the same tyre, predicted pretty much the same stop lap and the same tyres to the end of the race I would be more than happy to fight Max for position.

"I'll fight with Max and fight with all the other 20 drivers out there. It's what I came to Formula One for, to fight the best 21 drivers of the world and I'm here. It's what excites me, not to ask for someone to let me past or something like that."