Sainz hints Japanese GP "impossible" start caused by F1 public pressure
Sainz hints Japanese GP "impossible" start caused by F1 public pressure
Carlos Sainz believes public pressure calling for F1 to create high drama led to a “dangerous” situation at the start of the Japanese Grand Prix after crashing out on the opening lap.
Despite heavy rain, the race got underway from a traditional standing start at Suzuka, quickly resulting in Sainz losing control of his Ferrari at the Spoon corner, spinning to the inside of the right-hander before crossing across the track and into the barriers.
With visibility poor, there were numerous other incidents on the first lap and after the safety car was called, red flags were eventually thrown at the end of the second lap.
Asked whether a standing start was the right decision in the conditions, Sainz said: “Maybe the best would have been a rolling start on extremes, but anyway it was going to get worse... just to avoid any dangerous situation.
“But then if we start in a rolling start on extremes then everyone complains that Formula 1 doesn’t race in the wet.
"When you see the situation, how can you drive an F1 car at 300mph without visibility?”
Sainz 'lucky not to be hit'
After spinning back onto the track, Sainz was a sitting duck as the rest of the field drove through the spray and he believes he was fortunate not to be hit by another driver.
“Obviously, [I am] disappointed for crashing the car but the conditions were pretty much impossible with the visibility and the intermediate tyres the aquaplaning was crazy.
“I tried to get out of Checo’s slipstream to see something but as soon as I did I got more water on the tyre and I got into aquaplaning which sent me into a spin, then you’re down to luck.
“Everyone coming behind you doesn’t see you, they cannot see where you are. You are in the middle of the track so you are just praying for someone not to hit you.”
Related
Change your timezone:
Latest News
F1 team lodge FIA PROTEST over Chinese Grand Prix qualifying result
- 35 minutes ago
Hamilton in 's*** happens' outburst after huge China failure
- 1 hour ago
F1 News Today: Alonso hit with China PENALTY as Hamilton endures Shanghai nightmare
- 1 hour ago
F1 star PENALISED following controversial Chinese GP incident
- 2 hours ago
F1 Qualifying Results: Chinese Grand Prix 2024 times - 100th Red Bull pole as Hamilton crashes out in Q1
- 2 hours ago
Hamilton suffers CATASTROPHIC F1 qualifying after early exit
- 2 hours ago
Related news
NIGHTMARE Japanese GP may bite F1 team later this season
EMBARRASSING Hamilton crash caught on camera at Suzuka
‘Ricciardo is so finished’ - Pressure mounts on RB star after BIG Japanese GP crash
FIA reveal OFFICIAL verdict on Ricciardo Japanese GP crash
F1 Standings
Drivers
- Oliver Bearman
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
- Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2024
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Australia 2024
- MSC Cruises Grand Prix of Japan 2024
- Grand Prix of China 2024
- Miami Grand Prix 2024
- Gran Premio dell'Emilia Romagna 2024
- Grand Prix of Monaco 2024
- Grand Prix du Canada 2024
- Gran Premio de España 2024
- Grand Prix of Austria 2024
- Grand Prix of Great Britain 2024
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2024
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2024
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Italy 2024
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2024
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2024
- Grand Prix of the United States 2024
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2024
- Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2024
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024
- Qatar Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2024
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media
Innovatieweg 20C7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860