Carlos Sainz's "extreme" dreams after paying price for Ferrari PU change

Turkish Grand Prix

Sainz's "extreme" dreams after paying price for Ferrari PU change

Sainz will start from last at Istanbul Park

Ian Parkes & Ewan Gale

Thursday 7 October 2021 18:44

Carlos Sainz has explained how he will need "extremes" during the Turkish Grand Prix to atone for the price he has paid by taking on Ferrari's updated power unit.

Spaniard Sainz will start from the back of the grid after Ferrari opted to introduce its upgraded hybrid system as part of a complete PU change, mirroring the move made by the Scuderia with team-mate Charles Leclerc in Sochi last time out.

Asked how it felt to start the weekend with one hand tied behind his back, Sainz replied: "It actually doesn't feel that bad.

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"You go into a new weekend with a new PU that will hopefully bring a bit of performance and a bit of development for the team so I cannot be disappointed.

"Obviously, you pay the price of having to start last but I have a pretty good record of starting last and coming through the field in these last few years.

"So I am kind of excited for it because your focus is on preparing the race, making sure the car is well set up for the different compounds and the different conditions we have in the race with high fuel etcetera.

"It is actually okay to have a different weekend now and then and to have a different approach. I find it actually exciting and with nothing to lose.

"You go into a weekend, you are not going to finish worse than last and I am starting last so nothing to lose and you can risk it even more."

Sainz expecting better grip in Turkey

The Turkish GP last season was made increasingly difficult by a treacherous track surface yielding little grip throughout the weekend as a consequence of a late resurfacing.

On the expected grip levels this time around, Sainz said: "I think we are all expecting it to be better than last year.

"It would be quite a surprise to have the same conditions as last year because it was very difficult.

"It was also very difficult to understand why the grip was so particularly below to a point that in the race where we were quicker on the intermediate tyre than on a slick medium. That is why we stayed on a slick-intermediate.

"It is going to be interesting. We are all expecting the grip to be better. How much better? That is a different question.

"If it is more like Portimão where there is little grip but it is okay, it should be fun. If it is like Barcelona or Silverstone with high grip levels, it should also be quite exciting because then the tyre wear could be quite an issue.

"Maybe for my personal interests, I want them on the extremes and the more extreme, the more different things can happen and the more opportunities for me."