Carlos Sainz, Ferrari Formula 1 driver, aced the Australian Grand Prix after undergoing his surgery. He claims the ride felt like a “roller coaster”.
Sainz had a complain of appendicitis just before the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. It led to his hospitalization and he put his efforts to regains fitness before heading into Melbourne race.
The Spaniard admitted about his physical health for not being 100 percent. But it didn’t limit him from qualifying behind pole sitter Max Verstappen.
At the start of the race, Verstappen hit the brake and the problems engulfed his complete race. He had to retire because of the brake which lighten the fire on Verstappen’s car.
Sainz managed to break the Verstappen streak and won the race with his team-mate taking the second spot.
“I felt really good out there,” Sainz said. “Of course a bit stiff and especially physically it wasn’t the easiest, but I was lucky that I was more or less on my own and I could manage my pace, manage the tyres, manage everything, it wasn’t the toughest races of all.
“Very proud of the team, happy to be in a one-two with Charles here. It shows that the hard work pays off. Life sometimes it’s crazy.
“What happened at the beginning of the year, then the podium in Bahrain, then the appendix, the comeback, the win. It’s a rollercoaster, but I loved it. I’m extremely happy.”
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Sainz surpassed Verstappen on lap 2 and he had no idea about the depth of brake issues. However, he felt confident about keeping Red Bull at bay because of high performance Ferrari.
“I think from lap 2 when I was leading,” he said when asked when he thought he could race for victory.
“With the pace I had yesterday, I knew I could get it done, especially in clean air. Obviously, the risk of a safety car and red flag here was always in the back of my mind. But luckily, it was a clean race.
“A pity [for Verstappen] because we would have had, I think, a very good fight for P1 today. But I’m happy to take the win. He’s had plenty of them!”
