Carlos Sainz faced a setback that kept him out of the Qatar Grand Prix due to a fuel-system malfunction in his Ferrari. Technicians diagnosed the issue two hours before the start and, despite their best efforts, could not complete a repair in time. The moment was a cold splash for the Madrid native, yet he has already moved on and kept his sights set on the next challenge. At the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, he arrived ready to reclaim his place near the podium after earning pole here in 2022. The weekend would feature two races, the sprint and the main event on Sunday, giving him ample opportunity to showcase a strong resurgence.
Relating to
He explained that recovery was more mental than physical after Qatar, since he did not compete there. The absence, he noted, offered a chance to reset. A few days in New York provided a fresh perspective after nearly a decade of constant travel. Returning to the track in Austin, Sainz expressed renewed focus on reaching the podium this weekend, speaking ahead of the sessions at the American circuit.
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Looking back at Losail, Sainz recalled feeling like an observer rather than a participant. He followed the race strategy closely and weighed potential outcomes after the fact. He admitted that chasing too many hypothetical scenarios would only lead to frustration, so he chose to let go of the questions that begin with what if.
Regarding the gasoline leak, Sainz emphasized that several parts of the car were replaced to address the problem that affected the Qatar event. His message was clear: the team would pursue both short-term fixes and long-term solutions. It was a headache, but the aim was to approach the Austin weekend with fewer disruptions and stronger performance, a mindset he carried with optimism.
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Sainz did not shy away from acknowledging the competitive pressure from McLaren. While the team has shown strong form in recent races and sits near Red Bull in the standings, he stressed the importance of finishing races to maintain position. He also spoke with Lando Norris about session-by-session expectations, underscoring that unseen variables often decide the outcome. In Austin, he said, the atmosphere on race weekend is electric, and he plans to stay focused from Saturday through Sunday, with Qatar quickly becoming a distant memory.