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Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz has reacted to being the fastest man on track for the first time this year as he finished second at the Canadian Grand Prix.
Sainz scored an additional point for setting the fastest lap of the race, according to F1’s official website.
The Spanish F1 driver led the race before a late stop under the Safety Car pushed him behind Championship leader Max Verstappen. The 27-year-old then mounded pressure on Verstappen, producing fine pace on hard tyres that were six laps newer than the Red Bull driver, but couldn’t find a way past.
“It’s mixed feelings. P1 was very close today and I was certainly for the first time this year the fastest man on track and pushing to the absolute limit to try and put some pressure on Max and maybe force him into a mistake. We were two, three-tenths quicker the whole race, but those two, three-tenths are not enough to pass around here; you need a bit more pace delta to try and pass,” Sainz said after the race at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.
“It was close a couple of times. It’s a shame but at the same time, I will take the positive and know that today the pace was there, and I was feeling at home and able to push Max to the limit,” the Ferrari driver added.
Out of nine races this year, Sainz suffered three retirements, including the one in the previous race in Baku. The Spaniard bounced back with an impressive podium finish in the following race. With five podium finishes so far, Sainz is placed fifth in the drivers’ title race with 101 points, 24 behind teammate Charles Leclerc.
Even though Sainz missed out on a win in Canada, he sounded positive about the race.
“The positive is that this weekend, the pace has been there all weekend. I was quicker in the race and managed well my tyres. Even without that Safety Car [when he pitted for fresh tyres] I think I could have hung it out for the race win, with Max coming from behind, so that gives me hope,” explained Sainz.
Top two: Carlos Sainz, left, and Ferrari team-mate Charles Leclerc congratulate each other after qualifying in Miami
Photo: AFP / Brendan Smialowski
The Ferrari driver went on to add that since he was “really pushing” all over the place, it gave him “confidence” for the future. “It’s a shame that where I had the best pace, the win didn’t come but it was still very good,” added Sainz.
With 228 points, Ferrari are second in the 2022 Constructors Championship. The focus will now turn to next week’s British Grand Prix. It is scheduled to take place on July 3 at Silverstone Circuit.
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