As one of only two Spanish drivers currently racing in F1, this weekend is a special time for Carlos Sainz, who would love to take victory at his home Grand Prix in Spain, something he has no doubt dreamt of doing since he was a small child.
Having finished in a respectable ninth place at his first ever F1 race at the Circuit de Catalunya in 2015, and ahead of former Scuderia Toro Rosso team-mate Max Verstappen, the Spaniard is hoping to go a few places better in 2016. If he could qualify in the same position of fifth however, the former Formula Renault 3.5 Series champion would be very happy indeed.
“What stands out for me the most during the whole weekend in Spain is the amazing crowd that we have there, as they never stop cheering for the Spanish drivers, it’s an incredible feeling,” said Sainz.
“We know the circuit’s layout very well, as we’ve spent many test days there. Turn 1 reminds me of my battle with Kvyat last year for P9 and finally getting past him at that point of the track. I recall overtaking Hulkenberg, Raikkonen and Massa around the outside there – it’s incredible to be side by side at around 260km/h, knowing that if you touch, your race ends there!
“Turns 4 and 5 are corners where it’s easy to front-lock. I enjoy Turn 9 as it’s the fastest corner of the track and going through here during qualifying last year felt amazing! I can’t wait for my home Grand Prix to get started!”
Sainz is also looking forward to once again teaming up with Daniil Kvyat, who he has partnered in numerous other formula throughout his career, and is confident they will make a solid pairing once again at Toro Rosso.
