Sainz: Sickness led to practice struggles

Carlos Sainz has conceded he was unable to push to the limit during the first day of on-track action at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix because of his ongoing illness.

The Ferrari driver missed media duties at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit having returned to the hotel on Wednesday to rest having come down with sickness.

But Sainz was fit enough to take to the track for the practice sessions on Thursday, albeit remaining under the weather and after finishing FP2 seventh fastest, the Spaniard said: "A very difficult day after being sick, the last 24 hours have been difficult for me.

"It was all about trying to get myself on track and learn as much as possible from the car without really pushing too much to the limits as I am still not ideal.

"We managed to complete the programme without issues, hopefully I'm feeling better.

"Even if I probably will not be 100 per cent, feeling better will allow me to be more on the limit."

'Not ideal'

When switched to high-fuel running, the timesheets showed consistent improvement from Sainz lap on lap.

Asked whether this was because the Ferrari was being dialled in across the day, he conceded: "This was more me than the car to be honest.

"That's why it is very difficult to read into lap times but we will prepare everything and try to go through quali.

"Saturday will be a new day as my long runs were not ideal."