Carlos Sainz expressed his frustration after finding himself stuck in 16th place on the grid for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix due to traffic impeding his last run in Q1. The Spanish driver’s weekend had already been tough with a crash in FP1 when he hit a bump in Turn 3.
Sainz went on to suggest that some drivers intentionally make it harder for their rivals by impeding them on purpose. He described the situation as tricky and highlighted the presence of cars during his session that affected his performance.
“There were cars out there today that seemed to have no regard for other drivers on the track,” said Sainz. “It becomes increasingly difficult when fellow competitors deliberately make life harder for their rivals.”
While it is common for drivers to try and gain an advantage by creating dirty air for the car behind, Sainz believes some take it too far. He argued that such behavior goes against the spirit of fair competition and called on the race stewards to address the issue.
Despite his disappointment, Sainz remains determined to make up for lost ground. He is confident in his own abilities and is focused on delivering a strong performance in the race to improve his overall position.
The issue of traffic impeding during qualifying is not a new phenomenon in Formula 1. In recent years, there have been discussions about implementing stricter rules or penalties to deter drivers from deliberately obstructing their competitors. However, finding the right balance between allowing fair racing and preventing intentional impeding is a challenge.
As the sport evolves, it is crucial for Formula 1 to address this issue and ensure a level playing field for all drivers. Fair competition is at the core of any sporting event, and it is essential to maintain the integrity and spirit of the sport.