Sainz: Renault has good baseline despite Canada setbacks

Carlos Sainz Jr. is confident Renault has a good baseline heading into the remainder of the Formula 1 race weekend in Canada despite losing running on both cars during Friday’s practice sessions.

Nico Hulkenberg was limited to just three laps in FP1 as a gearbox issue caused him to come to a halt on-track, while Sainz crashed into the wall at Turn 7 with an hour remaining in FP2, bringing his session to an early end.

Despite the setback, Sainz feels Renault is in a good place to attack the points-paying positions in Montreal as it continues to fight at the front of the midfield pack.

“ I was pushing them a bit quicker than the previous run, and the tyre was just not up to temperature and it didn’t give me enough rear support,” Sainz explained.

“We still learned a lot, still feel confident for tomorrow. We have a good baseline to go and attack the top 10 tomorrow.

“Obviously we would have liked to have completed a bit more, but I think we are happy enough to get together a good baseline, a good car for tomorrow. Up until the crash I think I was feeling pretty confident.”

While he was able to bounce back with a productive FP2 in the afternoon, Hulkenberg explained how the issue in the morning session had left Renault on the backfoot for much of the day.

“It’s been a more difficult Friday. Losing the morning is quite costly and not ideal, as you always play catch-up all day and you can’t really go through all the things that you want to,” Hulkenberg said.

“We tried the best we could. In the afternoon we were also a bit late getting the car ready and being out a little bit late, but we did the best and managed the best we could I think.

“The car feels alright, not fantastic, and we still have some work to do. But it’s been OK.”