Signs Suggest Sainz Will Participate In Australian Grand Prix: 'I Felt Good'
F1Friday, 22 March 2024 at 14:00
Carlos Sainz shared how he felt after a busy first day of the 2024 Australian Grand Prix weekend with two practice sessions.
Coming into the weekend at Albert Park Circuit, it wasn't clear whether the 29-year-old Ferrari F1 driver would be fit enough (after his surgery) to participate in the Grand Prix on Sunday.
Some suggested that he didn't look like he could "move freely," and Sainz himself told the media ahead of the weekend that he wouldn't race on Sunday if he didn't feel right after the first two practice sessions.
The second free Free Practice session ended a few hours ago, and the Spanish driver told the media at the circuit:
"I feel OK. Obviously a bit tired after practice and not being 100% physically. But I felt like I had a good day, managed to do the whole programme."
"If you would have told me a week ago that I could have done the whole practice without issues, I would have been very happy. I'm very happy for that. Obviously, I need a good night's sleep and good recovery for tomorrow. I felt good."
Sainz finished FP1 in P8, only 0.122 seconds from Lando Norris's best time. In FP2, he scored a P3 0.430 seconds behind his teammate, Charles Leclerc.
"I think particularly Charles looked very quick today. On my side obviously, I took it step by step and getting it up into a rhythm, not at the limit of the car and not at the limit of myself yet."
The Spaniard had to be careful and take everything a bit slower from the beginning, as he didn't want to risk hurting himself even more.
As it stands, there are no hints that would suggest that the 29-year-old wouldn't participate in the Australian Grand Prix. He added:
"But I think with more laps and getting a bit more confident with how everything feels inside. I think I will be faster tomorrow and hopefully battle for that pole position together with him against everyone else because I think it's going to be tight."
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