Ferrari rapid repairs "one of the most impressive things I have seen" - Carlos Sainz

Sainz in Zandvoort — Photo: © LAT Images

Dutch Grand prix

Ferrari rapid repairs "one of the most impressive things I have seen" - Sainz

Sainz recovered from a final practice crash to secure a Ferrari third-row lockout

Sam Hall

Saturday 4 September 2021 20:15

Carlos Sainz has dedicated his Dutch Grand Prix qualifying to his mechanics after branding their work to repair his Ferrari "one of the most impressive things I have seen as a racing driver".

Sainz caused the fourth red flag in three practice sessions at Zandvoort when losing control of his Ferrari and spinning into the barriers at the heavily banked turn three.

The car sustained significant damage at both ends but after a frantic two hours, Sainz was able to take part in qualifying and secured sixth on the grid behind team-mate Charles Leclerc.

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“It was crazy," reflected Sainz. "To see the mechanics work at that pace to get me back out was one of the most impressive things I have seen as a racing driver.

"It was high tension but you could see everyone was focused on my car and trying to get it back out and they did it.

“This one is for them. I honestly admire them a lot for what they have done today and I hope that I can pay them back tomorrow with a good result.”

Dutch GP qualifying among Sainz's "most challenging"

With team-mate Charles Leclerc qualifying fifth, Ferrari locked out the third row of the grid.

After witnessing the efforts of his engineers in the garage, the Spaniard revealed he felt the pressure to deliver throughout the session.

"The crash, that obviously takes out quite a bit of confidence," said Sainz.

“The pressure in the minutes prior to Q1, not knowing if I was going to go out…yeah, it was probably one of the most challenging qualis of the season and of my life with all of the pressure and the tension going on there.

“But we managed to recover well and in Q3 I missed by thousandths being in the top five so it was a strong recovery and I have to be proud with it.”