"It started raining a lot and the track was getting worse but somehow the drivers managed to risk it more and get faster and faster," said Sainz after career-best third on F1 grid for McLaren
Saturday 11 July 2020 19:58, UK
A thrilled Carlos Sainz reflected on one of the "most stressful" qualifying sessions of his career after the Spaniard played a starring role at the Styrian GP for his first top-three grid placing in F1.
In hugely-challenging wet conditions in Austria, Sainz outpaced everyone bar Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen to secure third place on the grid - two places higher than the McLaren driver's previous best qualifying result.
Sainz posted on Twitter:
Speaking to Sky Sports F1, the Spaniard said of the treacherous conditions: "You cannot imagine - literally. You guys cannot imagine what we are going through inside the cockpit.
"Aquaplaning at 300kph (186mph) and just doing everything you can to stay on track but to squeeze the absolute maximum out of the car.
"Q1 and Q2 weren't too bad, not taking too many risks, and the track was really ready for inters, actually.
"All of a sudden in Q3 it started raining a lot and the track was getting worse but somehow the drivers managed to risk it more and get faster and faster. It was extremely exciting and I enjoyed it a lot."
The qualifying result continues McLaren's strong start to the new season amid the unprecedented Austrian double-header.
Lando Norris finished on the podium from third on the grid in dry conditions last week and Sainz's performance on Saturday means McLaren will start with a car from inside the front two rows at consecutive grands prix for the first time since 2012.
"I didn't think the car was going to be as good as it was in the wet," admitted Sainz. "Especially because last year our car, the '34, was not very strong in the wet.
"But this year, since we left the pits, the car felt on pace for more of where it should be.
"At the same time, I think we finished P3 last weekend because Hamilton and Albon collided and all that, but what is important is that this year with this car if the others fail we are a bit closer to the podium.
"I am starting P3, there will be opportunities hopefully and maybe we can grab another one. But it will be difficult."
The new Formula 1 season is underway in dramatic style on Sky Sports F1 and continues this week with the second race at the Red Bull Ring - the Styrian GP. Find out more & subscribe.
