Carlos Sainz Details Damage from Hamilton Clash That 'Compromised' Brazil GP

Carlos Sainz's Brazilian Grand Prix was significantly hampered by an early race collision with Lewis Hamilton, which inflicted front-wing damage on his Williams car. The Spaniard spent the remainder of the race at Interlagos battling the compromised aerodynamics, ultimately finishing 13th, just outside the points.

Why it matters:

• For Williams, a team fighting to secure its position in the constructors' championship, every point is crucial. Sainz's incident meant the team missed a potential opportunity to score, highlighting the fine margins in F1's midfield battle.
• The incident also underscores the aggressive nature of opening laps, where even minor contact can dictate a driver's entire race, turning a promising start into a recovery drive.

The Details:

• Sainz reported being "squeezed by... I think it was Lewis on the outside," leading to front-wing damage that "compromised my race for the rest of the race."
• The damage resulted in a significant loss of front-wing downforce, impacting the overall balance and performance of the car.
• Strategic Decision: Williams opted against replacing the front wing during a pit stop, calculating that the time lost would be too great. Instead, they tried to compensate by adjusting flaps.
• Pit Stop Woes: Further complicating his race, Sainz experienced a slow pit stop when attempting an undercut, costing him more positions and track time.
• Race Pace: Despite the damage and pit stop issues, Sainz noted the car felt "a lot better than the rest of the weekend" prior to the incident, suggesting potential for points if not for the setbacks.
• Sainz finished 13th, two positions behind teammate Alex Albon, with Williams failing to score points in Brazil.

What's next:

Sainz, now fully recovered from a recent illness, is looking ahead to the upcoming Las Vegas Grand Prix with optimism.

• He believes the unique characteristics of the Las Vegas street circuit, which is expected to be "completely the opposite" of Interlagos, will suit the Williams car better.
• The team plans to continue focusing on understanding and improving the car's weaknesses in long, medium, and low-speed corners, an area that has historically compromised their performance at certain tracks.