Sainz content despite 'impossible' Monaco challenge

Carlos Sainz has expressed satisfaction with his podium result at the Monaco Grand Prix, stating it was “impossible” to move forward around the narrow track.

Sainz's race appeared undone on the opening lap after he made contact with Oscar Piastri at Turn 1, resulting in a puncture.

However, a major incident behind involving a trio of cars saw the race red-flagged, with the restart order putting Sainz back in his original P3 starting position.

Sainz drove to third place at the chequered flag, putting major pressure on second-placed Oscar Piastri in the closing stages.

“It was a tight one, obviously a very bad feeling there in lap one that very quickly turned into a very good feeling after getting reinstated in P3,” Sainz said. “From there on, the race pace was good as we expected.

“It's just impossible to get past through the streets of Monaco.

“Once I was sure that Lando [Norris] behind didn’t have a gap to pit and attack me at the end, I focused on doing some fast laps.

“I went into the 1:14s, which was really quick at the time and I said ‘okay, maybe I have a chance I put in a bit of pressure on Oscar and maybe I can get him to do a mistake’.

“I knew that passing him was impossible. We put him under pressure, I saw him lose the rear a couple of times but it was not enough to pass.”

Happy for Leclerc

While Sainz was forced to settle for second place, team-mate Charles Leclerc won the race for the first time.

It marked the first time that a Monegasque native has won a world championship race around the famous Monte Carlo streets, with Ferrari adding to its win from Australia earlier this season.

“I'm extremely happy to see Charles win his home grand prix,” Sainz asserted. 

“The way he's been driving all weekend, and managing to share this podium with him in P3 is a great feeling for the whole team. 

“I think they all deserve it, it looks like we're getting stronger and stronger every weekend.”