Sainz Laments Missed Pole Position in Close Vegas Qualifying
Carlos Sainz felt his lap was good enough for pole position during the challenging wet Las Vegas GP qualifying, ultimately securing P3. He briefly held provisional pole, believing he had delivered a 'pole-worthy lap' before being edged out by Verstappen and Norris. Despite a stewards' inquiry, Sainz will start P3, giving Williams a strong chance for points after a strong showing in the wet conditions.
Carlos Sainz believed his lap in the wet and slippery Las Vegas GP qualifying session was worthy of pole position, despite ultimately lining up in P3 for Saturday's Grand Prix. He briefly held provisional pole before Max Verstappen and eventual polesitter Lando Norris edged him out in the closing stages.
Why it matters:
Ferrari's consistent struggle for outright pole position, especially in tricky conditions, underscores the importance of a driver feeling they have extracted maximum performance. For Sainz, believing he had a pole-worthy lap despite the conditions highlights the team's potential, but also the fine margins separating the top contenders.
The details:
- Sainz described his qualifying lap as "very good" and genuinely thought it was a "pole-worthy lap."
- He initially saw himself in P1 after completing the lap, realizing he was the first car to cross the finish line.
- Sainz acknowledged that his P1 position might not last long with other strong drivers, like Verstappen and Norris, yet to finish their laps.
- For a brief moment, it appeared Williams might secure their first pole position since the 2014 Austrian GP.
- Stewards' Decision: Sainz was summoned to the stewards for allegedly impeding Lance Stroll in Q1. However, after review, no further action was deemed necessary, confirming his P3 start.
Between the lines:
Sainz expressed that Williams seemed more competitive on extreme wet tyres in Q1 and Q2. He wished the track had remained in extreme wet conditions, as those were the tyres that gave him the "best feeling and the best confidence." He noted that during those phases, they were consistently P1 on the leaderboard. He was surprised by his inters performance, expecting to be slower based on FP3, but it "turned out to be just fine."
What's next:
Sainz's P3 starting position is his second-best qualifying result since joining Williams this season, following a P2 in Azerbaijan, which he converted into a podium finish. His strong performance in challenging conditions, coupled with the stewards' decision confirming his grid slot, sets him up for a potentially strong race. His teammate, Alex Albon, starts from P16 after finding the wall in Q1.