Sainz: "Minimal miscalculation at Suzuka can make you pay a big price"

Carlos Sainz yesterday provided a clear demonstration of how easy it is to lose it all around the Suzuka Circuit. During the first practice session, the Spaniard rode too much of the kerb on the exit of the hairpin and spun into the barriers, wrecking his Toro Rosso.

Before the running got underway, it was confirmed that Sainz would be taking a twenty-place grid penalty for Sunday's Grand Prix, meaning he is all but sure to start right at the back of the field. Sainz labelled his crash "a pity", but is ready to come back stronger.

"A tricky Friday for us," he said. "Obviously, the accident in FP1 was a bit of a pity. I didn’t expect that to happen, I just clipped the outside kerb a bit too much and it sent me into a spin and then into the barriers. It looked quite incredible on the TV, but luckily it wasn’t such a big one from inside the cockpit.

"We can’t forget that a minimal miscalculation here can make you pay a big price! I’m happy that the mechanics could put the car back together for FP2 – they did an amazing job like they always do, pushing for me and the team. We were ready to run in FP2, but unfortunately the weather conditions didn’t help us and we were only able to complete an installation lap. Hopefully tomorrow is a better day!"

Sainz will take a twenty place grid penalty due to going over the limit of the number of allocated power unit elements for a season. Heading into the weekend, his car was fitted with a sixth MGU-H (10 grid places), and a fifth ICE and turbocharger (five apiece).

Fergal Walsh