Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz said he will have to “survive” the Formula 1 Sprint Race at the Chinese Grand Prix.
The Spaniard qualified 5th, while teammate Charles Leclerc 7th, partially because of the difficulties brought in when it started raining around the circuit during Sprint qualifying.
“With the intermediate tires we waited a long time at the pitlane exit, they got cold, and then Charles [Leclerc] and I struggled a lot on that out lap to warm up the tires.
“I’m lucky I didn’t suffer the same [spin as teammate Leclerc].
“We couldn’t do a good SQ3, but I think I saved the day with fifth. This is a very difficult track to get to and almost go straight into qualifying.”
Sainz said he doesn’t feel comfortable with the setup of his car going into the Sprint race, and said he would like to make some changes when parc ferme regulations allow it before Sunday’s Grand Prix.
“I have a couple of ideas to improve the car for qualifying. In the sprint we will have to survive with what we have and fight from fifth place,” he said.