Carlos Sainz did battle with Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton at the Spanish Grand Prix last weekend. Sainz started behind Hamilton but got ahead after the first pit-stop phase thanks to the undercut.
The trade-off, though, was that Hamilton would be quicker when he did eventually pit. And on lap 19, the Briton was in position to size him up with DRS.
It was a battle that may have been personal for Sainz. After all, the seven-time world champion has taken his seat for 2025.
Sainz tried to cover off the inside heading into turn one but Hamilton simply darted further to the right. The Spaniard then defiantly tried to hang it around the outside and the two drivers made slight contact.
It was the Mercedes who edged ahead, but Sainz was quickly on the radio to complain that Hamilton had ‘run him off’ the track. He demanded that the 39-year-old return the position.
The incident was noted by the stewards, but they didn’t deem it worthy of further investigation. Hamilton eventually took the final podium spot, while Sainz finished sixth.
Carlos Sainz frustrated at suggestion he’s changed driving style
This wasn’t the only close call for Sainz in his home race. He also clashed with Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc after a brave move at the first corner on lap 3.
1996 world champion Damon Hill argued that Leclerc should have backed out, claiming he was lucky to avoid a much more serious incident. But in an interview with Sky Sports, Sainz was asked whether he had ‘adapted’ his driving style this year after losing his seat.
Sainz bullied his way past Leclerc on two occasions at the very first race of the season in Bahrain. A few rounds later in Shanghai, he had to apologise to Leclerc in the debrief after mounting an overly aggressive defence during the Sprint.
However, he rejected any notion that he’d become more aggressive amid the ongoing fight for his future. The question seemed to frustrate the 29-year-old, who maintains that he has the team’s interests at heart.
“No, I’ve been driving the same since Bahrain,” he said. “I’m doing the best for the team and for myself. I don’t know why you’re asking that now.
“It’s not about whether Lewis did something right or wrong. It’s about the rules. I’m not complaining at all. I try to give everything on the track. I gave everything to beat the Mercedes, but it didn’t work.”
What FIA regulations say after Sainz run-in with Lewis Hamilton
Sainz personally had no problem with Hamilton’s hard racing in Barcelona. But he questioned whether or not the Briton’s tactics were within the rules the FIA had set out.
The regulations state that an overtaking move is legal so long as the car behind is significantly alongside at the apex of the corner. The pass must also be completed in a controlled manner, allowing the driver to stay within track limits.
The stewards decided that Hamilton had complied with both of these requirements, and so he escaped any sanction. In truth, the Mercedes’ pace and tyre advantage on the day was such that he would likely have re-passed Sainz quickly even if he had given up the position.
Come next year, the 29-year-old is set to be scrapping in F1’s midfield, rather than at the front. Williams were ready to announce him at the Spanish GP, but a late push from Alpine has prompted him to hesitate.
The post ‘Don’t know why you’re asking’: Carlos Sainz hits back at interviewer after driving style question appeared first on F1 Oversteer.
