Carlos Sainz concluded his qualifying session in seventh position in the tabloid format. During the qualifying session at the Shanghai circuit, Sainz spun in Q2, resulting in a red flag. Despite crashing into the barriers, Sainz’s quick thinking allowed him to regain control of his SF-24 without sustaining significant damage. Although he experienced a range of emotions in those few seconds, Sainz managed to have a successful lap in Q3.
In his post-event interview, Sainz expressed the difficulties he faced in regaining composure after the crash. He acknowledged that crashing at the right angle and avoiding direct impact with the rear tire required precise maneuvering. This incident highlights Sainz’s intelligence and has made him a highly sought-after driver in the market. Various teams have made enticing offers to secure his services, but only time will reveal his destination for next year.
Additionally, Fernando Alonso received a penalty for colliding with Carlos Sainz during the Chinese Grand Prix sprint. This resulted in three penalty points and a ten-second time penalty for Alonso. Sainz had overtaken Alonso, who was in third place, but the latter’s late-braking move in Turn 9 caused contact and both drivers lost positions. Unfortunately, Alonso’s race came to an early end due to a front-right puncture.
After carefully reviewing the incident, the FIA Stewards penalized Alonso. However, Alonso must now focus on the upcoming challenges and opportunities. With a fantastic starting position of third place for tomorrow’s race, he will aim to outperform the Ferrari and McLaren drivers to secure a podium finish in the Chinese GP.