Sainz Hails 'Best Lap of the Year' Despite Grid Penalty in Mexico

Carlos Sainz delivered what he called his "best lap of the year" in Mexico City qualifying, a performance that showcased his increasing comfort with the Williams FW47. Despite the strong showing, a five-place grid penalty from Austin means he will start Sunday's Grand Prix from 12th, not the top seven position he earned.

Why it matters:

After a challenging season, Sainz's standout qualifying performance underscores his personal growth and the team's progress. However, the grid penalty highlights the fine margins in F1, turning a strong Saturday into a tougher Sunday challenge and forcing him to execute a recovery drive to score points.

The Details:

• Sainz outqualified McLaren's Oscar Piastri, demonstrating his strong pace and execution.
• Friday to Saturday Turnaround: Sainz initially struggled with car balance in FP3 but made decisive setup changes before qualifying that transformed his performance.
• Tyre Management: He noted that experience gained through mid-season tyre struggles helped him adapt to dropping track temperatures during qualifying.
• Strategic Reflections: Sainz admitted that saving a fresh set of tires for Q3 might have yielded an even better grid position, a lesson for future races.
• Clean Execution: He highlighted the precision of his Q3 lap, stating, "It's the cleanest, probably no mistakes, knowing what to do with the flap, knowing what to do with my steering tools... I just put everything together."

The Big Picture:

Sainz's performance, just two or three tenths off his pole position from last year in a significantly slower car, speaks volumes about both his personal improvement and the substantial progress of the Williams team throughout the season. This indicates a growing synergy between driver and machine, promising more competitive outings.

What's next:

Despite the frustration of starting from P12, Sainz remains determined. He expects to be one of the fastest midfield cars in race pace, as he has been in recent races. The main challenges will be managing car cooling on the demanding Mexico City circuit and making progress through the field. Sainz is ready to push for recovery, aiming to turn adversity into an opportunity for points.