Sainz keen to return to scene of "best ever race"

  • Published on 10 Sep 2018 13:06
  • comments 2
  • By: Fergal Walsh

Carlos Sainz is looking forward to returning to Singapore this weekend, 12 months on from when he bagged his best ever finish in his Formula 1. At the 2017 race, the Spaniard crossed the line in P4, behind Lewis Hamilton, Daniel Ricciardo and Valtteri Bottas.

This season the Spaniard claimed a best finish of fifth at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, and will reach a milestone this weekend - his 75th F1 race. His teammate Nico Hulkenberg will also celebrate a landmark race, as he takes part in his 150th event.

"It’s a cool coincidence that both myself and Nico celebrate milestones on the same weekend," Sainz admitted. "75 races sounds like a lot, especially since I’m still quite young. It would be extra special if we can celebrate it with a double-points finish or match or better my result from last year!"

Speaking about his drive last season, the 24-year-old said: "It’s probably my best-ever race in my Formula 1 career. Everything clicked on the day. It was an incredible day, an amazing race and one which I’ll never forget. That said, every time I’m in the car, I’m gunning to better it."

The race around the Singapore streets is the toughest for the drivers, as the heat and humidity make for a gruelling 61 lap race. And with the barriers being just centimetres away, Sainz is expecting a big challenge ahead of him.

"Singapore is probably the toughest race on the calendar, both for the heat and humidity as well as the physical demands of the circuit itself," he said. "It gets so hot in the cockpit and we’re very busy with the frequent changes of direction and on-going gear shifts. All while making sure not to hit the barriers.

"It’s a really big challenge come race day! It’s a long lap in terms of time, and very tight and twisty. There aren’t many straights to have a rest like in Baku, for example, so that makes it even trickier from a physical perspective.

"Singapore is a strange weekend in a way as we remain on European time," he added. "Waking up at 2pm every day and leaving the track at 3am is strange. But that’s what makes it a unique Grand Prix. We don’t see too much daylight there and there’s little time to explore."

Replies (2)

Login to reply
  • Looking forward the the grid being a bit more mixed this weekend. Hope it's a chaotic race that allows a Haas, a Mclaren, or a Renault end up on the podium.

    • + 0
    • Sep 10 2018 - 16:27

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2024

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
29 - Mar 2
Bahrain
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia
22 - Mar 24
Australia
5 - Apr 7
Japan
19 - Apr 21
China
3 - May 5
United States of America
17 - May 19
Italy
24 - May 26
Monaco
7 - Jun 9
Canada
21 - Jun 23
Spain
28 - Jun 30
Austria
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom
19 - Jul 21
Hungary
26 - Jul 28
Belgium
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands
30 - Sep 1
Italy
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan
20 - Sep 22
Singapore
18 - Oct 20
United States of America
25 - Oct 27
Mexico
1 - Nov 3
Brazil
22 - Nov 24
United States of America
29 - Dec 1
Qatar
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
29 - Mar 2
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7
19 - Apr 21
3 - May 5
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19
24 - May 26
Monaco Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9
21 - Jun 23
28 - Jun 30
Austria Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom Silverstone
19 - Jul 21
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1
Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22
18 - Oct 20
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27
1 - Nov 3
Brazil Interlagos
22 - Nov 24
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Mercedes
  • Points 3,344
  • Podiums 131
  • Grand Prix 205
  • Country GB
  • Date of b. Jan 7 1985 (39)
  • Place of b. Tewin, GB
  • Weight 68 kg
  • Length 1.74 m
Show full profile
show sidebar