Carlos Sainz Jr has revealed that Fernando Alonso gave him some tips on how to race around the streets of Monaco back in 2013, and he has always remembered what his fellow Spaniard told him as he makes his third Monaco Grand Prix start this weekend.
The Scuderia Toro Rosso driver has finished inside the points in his two previous Formula 1 visits to the circuit, and also finished inside the top six in both of his visits in World Series by Renault, and he admits to having a good feeling when racing there.
“Monaco is a track that, since I went there for the first time back in 2013, I really got a good feeling racing there,” said Sainz. “I remember Fernando back then explaining a few secrets and tricks to me that I still have in my mind today.”
Sainz feels the Monaco circuit is one that drivers have to build their confidence levels up as the weekend goes on, with qualifying the time to really go for it in order to get as high up the grid as possible, but the Spaniard admits it is a thrilling challenge to get it right on Saturday.
“Racing with the walls so close is something you’re always alert of – you can’t drive around Monaco like you do at any other track!” said Sainz. “You just need to really build your confidence up and make sure that your confidence levels for qualifying are at 100% and that you haven’t risked too much or had any big shocks before that session.
“It’s a track that, when it comes to qualifying in particular, is a very tense moment– it’s the toughest session of the year and where I need to be more determined. It’s the easiest track to make a mistake, but it’s a challenge I really enjoy.”
