Spanish driver Carlos Sainz from Ferrari believes a strong comeback is possible starting from the back of the grid. He insists he has the pace at the Italian Grand Prix and admits the penalty left him furious because it blocked a potential victory bid. He emphasizes the need to stay positive for the next day and to push hard to reclaim ground in Monza. The goal remains clear: fight for a top result despite the setback.
He explains that the pace shown this weekend felt unusual. The team is optimistic about a rapid recovery, and Sainz notes that the trajectory of the weekend made the laps feel shorter while he was chasing a strong performance. The reality of starting from last is frustrating, but the driver believes there is a real chance to climb back into contention and challenge for a podium finish as the race unfolds.
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Regarding his qualifying performance, the Madrilenian describes it as satisfactory. He felt comfortable in the car and pushed to the limit on each lap. In the final run, he managed to optimize his timing without relying on a slipstream, taking more risk in the corners to gain pace and still losing a little on the straight. He expresses confidence in that feeling and remains hopeful about racing opportunities the following day.
Spanish driver Fernando Alonso, driving for Alpine, started sixth in the race and is expected to defend position due to the presence of several top teams aiming to move forward. He regards penalties and the potential to pick up points as a realistic objective for Sunday at Monza. His plan is to maximize his racecraft and secure as many points as possible given the competition ahead.
Alonso notes that avoiding track limits would have kept his lap pace higher, and he believes the team demonstrated competitive rhythm. He describes feeling the need to defend positions while navigating a challenging segment of the time trials where Esteban Ocon also played a part in the lap times. The focus remains on scoring points and maintaining a strong pace throughout the race.
The Asturian is aware that several fast cars are behind him and emphasizes the importance of engine strategy as a potential upgrade could contribute to a stronger showing. He mentions the possibility of making engine changes in the near term if the opportunity arose, acknowledging the penalties and subsequent need to maximize performance with the available resources. The overarching goal is to preserve momentum and pursue a strong race result the next day.