Despite finishing in a below average fourteenth place at this year’s German Grand Prix, Toro Rosso driver Carlos Sainz J is pleased with the overall pace and performance of himself and the car this season.
The Spanish youngster started the race in fifteenth place thanks to a three place grid penalty for blocking Felipe Massa during qualifying, but with some good overtaking he managed to move the STR11 up to eleventh position.
“It wasn’t the best of races,” commented the Spaniard. “Starting from P15 because of the three position grid penalty meant it was never going to be easy, but we had a good start and the first part of the race wasn’t’ that bad.
“We were able to overtake quite a few cars, make a good recovery and get very close to the points positions, racing in P11.”
However, before Sainz was able to make it to a point scoring position, a slow first pit stop cost him the valuable places that he had earned earlier in the race.
“It even looked like another comeback was possible, but we lost quite a lot of time during our first pit-stop, and that cost us the places we had gained earlier out on track,” remarked Sainz. “From then onwards we were unfortunately stuck in P14, which is definitely not where we wanted to be.”
Sainz appeared disappointed with today’s performance, but did seem positive about his general performance up until this point in the season – and that he is looking forwards to a well-earned rest!
“I’d say it’s not the perfect way to end the first half of the season but in general I’m happy with my performance so far this year – now it’s time for a well-deserved break but I can’t wait to go back racing again in a few weeks’ time!”
