Sainz recalls 'fun' battle with Ricciardo during British GP

Carlos Sainz has recalled the entertaining battle he had with Daniel Ricciardo during the British Grand Prix on Sunday, and thinks the fact both drivers were putting in qualifying-level laps together made it fun.

After a disappointing qualifying session which saw Sainz start the grid in 13th position the next day, the Spaniard bounced back in the race proper and made it up to sixth position, only to have to fiercely defend against the Renault of Daniel Ricciardo.

It was one of many one-on-one duels during the GP which made for a cracking race, and Sainz admits he had fun himself at Silverstone.

"I think the last few laps with Daniel were fun because he was just that tiny bit quicker that made him get into my DRS,” he said.

"And once he had the DRS, with head wind on the straight, my clipping on the battery, we were running more wing than him, so it meant he was really catching me on the straights but we were just hanging on in the corners.

"We were pushing flat out. These were proper qualifying laps the whole way through because the hard tyres allowed you to do so."

McLaren are establishing themselves as ‘best of the rest’ in the championship this season behind the trio of Mercedes, Ferrari, and Red Bull. Even though they are yet to truly move away from the midfield pack, Sainz is content with the improvements the team are making.

"We're progressing, the car is alive in the wind tunnel, we are bringing upgrades to every race," he added.

"The only thing that we know is we haven't cleared the midfield yet. Many people wanted us to be already clear of the midfield, but we haven't.

"With the Renaults battling thereabouts, one race they will be quicker, another race we will be quicker, today they were quicker.

"We need to improve the car at low speeds because that is what will give us the edge that at the moment we don't have."

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