The promise that an ailing Carlos Sainz showed at the Australian GP didn’t sustain coming into the Japanese GP qualifying. It looks like Ferrari’s SF24 has considerably slowed down at Suzuka compared to Melbourne. Both Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc felt uncomfortable with their cars. But the Spaniard’s SF24 also suffered an unusual problem that cost him the qualification. And this time, he made sure that team boss Frederic Vasseur heard what he wanted to say.

In Q2, Sainz complained of a throttle issue with his Ferrari. According to him, the throttle felt “soft” which served as a distraction from putting in his best. As a result, Lando Norris jumped ahead of him, rounding up the Top 3, along with the Red Bulls. After the disappointing session, where Sainz could only manage to secure P4, he explained the true “issue”.

“After FP3, we saw we didn’t have the pace,” the Ferrari driver told Sky Sports, “In FP1, we knew it was going to be a tougher weekend, and we actually made a good step in Quali. It’s just. Lando, 2 tenths in front, or P3, it’s just too much around Suzuka. Here, normally the gaps are very, very tight, and 2 tenths was too much. But I did some very good laps in Quali.”

“I had to drive the rest of the session with a issue. You just stop thinking about it. It was just a soft pedal. There was no risks involved (but) just that weird feeling,” said Sainz explaining the issues.

The Spaniard also termed it “impossible” to fight the McLaren of Lando Norris in Qualifying. But he is optimistic for a podium at Suzuka.

Carlos Sainz hopes for a tough fight with Lando Norris for the Japanese GP podium

Though Lewis Hamilton was showing Mercedes’ quicker pace in Q1 and Q2 at Suzuka, Lando Norris emerged as the surprise entry in the Top 3. The McLaren driver left Mercedes in the dust and outpaced Sainz by over 2 tenths of a second. But can his MCL38 fend off the Ferrari in the race?

“I hope we can fight them better in the race,” Sainz said about his battle with Norris, “Because in Quali, it was impossible. In the race, it would be nice to have a fight with Lando, me, Fernando, the Mercs behind. It should be an interesting battle or the podium. The Red Bulls are unfortunately in a different league around here. They are just ahead on downforce and you can tell by the lap time.”

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Will Sainz be able to display his consistent best in the race? Tune in with us tomorrow for the live updates.

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