Sainz frustrated by Ferrari start issues in Brazil

Carlos Sainz walked away from the Sao Paulo Grand Prix weekend feeling frustrated after a clutch problem that hampered his starts during the event.

The Spaniard started the main race from sixth on the grid but lost two positions on the run to the first corner.

Sainz was heard over the team radio stating that he hopes to “bin this clutch” after the event was over.

The 29-year-old revealed that he was suffering from the issue throughout the weekend as Ferrari was unable to make changes to improve the problem.

“It was the same as [during the sprint race] and the same as every single start that I've done this weekend,” Sainz told media including RacingNews365.com.

“I'm very disappointed because it obviously cost us some points in the cumulative of the weekend.

“We've had a problem since the beginning of practice we haven't been able to adapt it to the to the tack.

“We've been struggling a lot with getaways, it's a shame.”

Sainz rues missed opportunity

Sainz was the sole Ferrari car in the Grand Prix after Charles Leclerc crashed on the formation lap due to a hydraulics failure.

Ferrari managed to outscore Mercedes despite Leclerc's non-start as the Brackley-based squad struggled for pace throughout the Grand Prix.

20 points separate the two teams ahead of the final two rounds of the season in the battle for second place, with Sainz ruing Lelclerc's issue as a missed opportunity for Ferrari.

“With Charles in the race would have been a great opportunity to take away points on a Mercedes this weekend,” he said.

“But also the car pace wasn't great either. So Aston Martin, McLaren and Red Bull were a bit in front and we couldn't fight them really much. It's a missed opportunity.”