Scuderia Toro Rosso driver Carlos Sainz Jnr was over the moon with his qualifying effort on Saturday, after what had been a tough build up to the session earlier in the morning.
“I can’t be happier than what I’m feeling today after that qualifying session!”
The Spaniard had a compromised FP3 session after sustaining two punctures during the hour, which reduced his track time and preparation going into qualifying.
But Sainz Jnr put in a stunning final lap at the end of Q2 to take him into the top ten in the final moments. The lap came completely out of the blue for the 22-year-old, who had been sat in or around fifteenth place during earlier sessions in the weekend
“After quite a complicated FP3, where I didn’t get much track time due to the two punctures, to suddenly put such a great lap together in Q2 and get through to Q3 is just amazing – I was really happy when I was told my position over the radio!
“I’m sure the team was also very pleased, it’s definitely something we needed after some tough race weekends.”
The Spaniard knows the Faenza based squad are unlikely to be able to challenge up near the top for long at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) track with their power deficit, but will give it everything to try to score some much needed points for the team this weekend.
“Today is one of the days I will always remember of my 2016 season! Tomorrow will be a tough race but we will certainly try our best to fight for points!”
