Carlos Sainz: "Every time I feel better"

Carlos Sainz finished the official qualifying session of the Formula 1 Portuguese Grand Prix in an honorable fifth position. The Madrid driver classified his position on the grid as good, assuring that he had faced "difficult conditions", especially due to the gusty wind on the track. Likewise, the Madrid rider acknowledged that he was able to improve the sensations compared to other events: “It was a tough qualifying, as always here in Portimao, with very gusty wind. The track slowed down again in Q3, similar to last year. Even so, we have been able to go through sessions, improving feelings during the weekend and we have been able to do a good fifth in qualifying, "he told DAZN. In addition, the Madrid driver explained his decision to save tire in Q1 and to pass later with the soft one. “We were very close to risking passing with the medium, but because of the traffic at the beginning of Q2 I was not able to do a good first lap with the medium. In order not to risk and go to Q3, we have decided to put the soft. It is the right decision, there was no risk, especially in the first races. That has allowed me to get a good feeling with the soft and do a couple of good laps in Q3, "he said." When I finished the lap and saw that I was three tenths away from Q2, I thought I was going to be the tenth. Then it was seen that the others suffered as well, I was not the only one. Here, making perfect laps does not exist, because there is always a curve in which you get a gust of wind and annoy you. Even so, we have been able to improve the sensations, change the driving style… That has allowed me today, in difficult conditions, to get a good fifth, ”he concluded.