Frustrated Carlos Sainz makes SHOCKING claim that drivers were not informed about last-minute changes to Qatar GP track limits

Carlos Sainz dissed the FIA over not notifying the drivers about the changes at the Qatar Grand Prix.

Frustrated Carlos Sainz makes SHOCKING claim that drivers were not informed about last-minute changes to Qatar GP track limits

Carlos Sainz (via imago)

On the Friday evening ahead of the Qatar GP, Pirelli discovered that the kerbs on the Losail circuit were causing damage to their tires. The company then informed the FIA single-seater Director Nikolas Tombazis of their findings. The FIA responded on Saturday with a new directive to increase safety while limiting the possibility of heavy tire degradation. They decided to change the track limits at T12-13 (the fast right-handers).

The FIA also scheduled an extra practice session and mandate 3 compulsory pitstops for Sunday’s Grand Prix. The stewards also came up with a ‘maximum stint length’ for the race. While these were some big changes to cope with, Carlos Sainz has now revealed that the drivers were not properly notified about them. The Ferrari driver said [as reported by Autosport], “At the same time we arrived here today in the morning, and we saw the news in the press. Nobody informed us that there is going to be [changes] to track limits, and no one told us the tires are delaminating or anything like that.”

YouTube video

Sainz further mentioned that he isn’t against the changes and understands that they were made for ‘safety reasons’ but still condemns the FIA’s miscommunication about the matter. “I am not blaming Pirelli, but at the same time clearly there is something going on there. We have to learn things from the press which is clearly not what or how things should be done.”, added the Spaniard.

FS Video

Do not miss: WATCH: “Lifetime ban please”- Fans react as Logan Sargeant spins into the gravel and bows out of the Qatar GP Sprint

Carlos Sainz predicted Ferrari’s battle against the McLarens at ‘high-speed’ tracks

Carlos Sainz’s performance following the mid-season break has been simply stunning. Ferrari’s win at the Singapore GP stands as a testament to the improvements that they’ve made to the SF-23. Similarly, McLaren have also stepped up their game. The Woking team have been challenging Red Bull more often than any other since their return after the summer break. Owing to this, Sainz has identified McLaren as Ferrari’s biggest competitor in the upcoming races.

Carlos Sainz (via ESPN)
Carlos Sainz (via ESPN)

Carlos Sainz spoke of his former team’s recent surge in speed. Sainz commented, “When we go to places like Mexico, even Austin, with more low-speed content, we will be very equal to them – we will have a race with McLaren”. The McLaren duo clearly beat the Ferraris at Suzuka as Piastri and Norris, both, claimed podium places. Carlos finished over 13 seconds behind Piastri in the Japanese GP. Losail looks to be another circuit where McLaren will easily triumph over the Prancing Horse.

McLaren’s Lando Norris will be starting from P10 at the Qatar GP while Piastri lines up P6. These numbers fail to accurately depict the team’s pace this weekend. Piastri and Norris, following a very unlucky Qualifying session on Friday, displayed blistering pace on Saturday as they claimed P1 and P3 in the Sprint race. Leclerc looks to be Ferrari’s only hope in challenging the Woking Wonders this weekend as the Monégasque lines up in P5 (above both the McLaren) for the Qatar Grand Prix.

In case you missed it: