Sainz struck by Ferrari brake roulette issue

Carlos Sainz has detailed how a season-long brake problem with Ferrari affected his running in practice at the Singapore Grand Prix.

The defending race-winner placed third in both sessions, but was nearly six-tenths behind in the second, more representative session after being within striking range of team-mate Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris in the opening hour of running. 

Sainz suffered a significant lock-up and ran down the Turn 16 escape road at one point, but despite the struggles with the SF-24, the Spanish racer was confident of hitting back and challenging for the remainder of the weekend.

"It's been a bit of a topic this year in our team where we have run into some brake issues on Friday - and it was my turn to face them," Sainz explained.

"There was a lot of inconsistency on the brakes all throughout FP2, especially on the cooldown and out laps, we were having plenty of issues, which doesn't help the confidence and preparation for the weekend. 

"Whenever we're not having these issues and having clean laps, we're quite quick out there, so it is not something that concerns me if we manage to put everything together.

"We have a strong car to be in the fight, and Lando was quick, but Red Bull and Mercedes are still yet to show their hands."