Carlos Sainz has issued a defence of the driving standards towards the back of the F1 grid following fierce criticism from Fernando Alonso.
At the United States Grand Prix last weekend, Alonso was involved in an opening lap incident with Sainz's team-mate Alex Albon.
After the race, Alonso stated that the "quality of the drivers in the low third of the grid is very low" in an apparent jab at the Williams driver he collided with.
Sainz has rejected the criticism from his compatriot, insisting he holds Albon, who is currently in his seventh season in F1, to a high standard.
"[It was] a bit harsh towards Alex," Sainz told media including RacingNews365. "I think he [Alonso] was referencing more towards him [Albon].
"I really rate Alex very highly, and he's a guy that I enjoy racing with, and never shown any disrespect or bad moments with him.
"Also, Fernando, I have fun battling with him. I've never been in the last third of the grid until this year.
"All my life I've been having a car to battle for the points, at least in my Toro Rosso days, Renault, McLaren, always top 10.
"It's the first time in my career I find myself battling in the back end of the midfield."
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Current F1 grid 'the best one' - Sainz
Like Alonso, Sainz has been relegated towards the rear of the field this year as Williams failed to deliver at the start of the new regulation cycle.
Having now spent time fighting for positions further down the order, Sainz further refuted Alonso's statement by claiming the current grid is the most talented he has ever seen in F1.
"I've been on the grid 12 years, and if there is one year that I think is the highest level of talent on the grid, it's this one," he said.
"I can't think of anyone who is not up to F1 standards. All the rookies that have come in over the last few years are good.
"Some make mistakes, like I used to do when I was younger, and I still do mistakes now, you've seen me do [them] this year.
"In the last half of the grid there are more incidents, but I prefer to think it's circumstantial and not because of the quality of the grid."
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