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Sainz reflects on weird qualifying session

Sainz reflects on weird qualifying session

08-09-2019 10:00

Carlos Sainz was the only driver to set a lap during that farcial period of Q3 yesterday and the McLaren driver has admitted it was weird to be apart of as eight of the nine drivers involved failed to make it across the line in time.

Sainz qualified seventh for the Italian Grand Prix at Monza but was given a reprimand for his involvement in the chaotic scenes at the end of Q3 as all the drivers were looking for a tow. Eventually, only Sainz and Leclerc crossed the line in time but Leclerc didn't contest the lap having already been on pole.

The Spaniard was unable to dislodge Leclerc at the top and he'll start seventh, a satisfying result given the bizarre circumstances.

“It was quite an eventful qualifying for everyone. A weird last run we aren’t used to seeing," Sainz said in McLaren's qualifying report.

"Anyway, I think I managed to extract the maximum from the car and, as a team, we executed a very solid quali, so we should be happy with our overall performance today.

“P7 is a good starting position for tomorrow and it gives us a good fighting chance for the race and for points. The weather might play a big role, so we’ll be ready for different scenarios.”