Sainz Voids Q2 Slot Due to Impeding Incident at Canadian Grand Prix Qualifying
Carlos Sainz expressed profound frustration following his early elimination in Q1 during qualifying for the Canadian Grand Prix. The Ferrari driver was impeded by Isack Hadjar, resulting in a missed opportunity to advance to Q2 by a mere 0.020 seconds.
Sainz, who had shown competitive pace throughout practice sessions, made his displeasure known via team radio, criticizing the miscommunication that led to the incident. “I don’t care if I was fast. If someone is in the middle of the road and completely ruins your qualifying, it’s disappointing,” Sainz remarked post-session, adding that he expected to compete for a top-eight position rather than starting from 17th.
During the qualifying lap, Sainz noted, “I saw him already in Turn 3 to 4, surprised he didn’t move. I lost a tenth, but then he didn’t yield in Turn 5. I had to lift and overtake him inside Turn 6, ultimately costing me three to four tenths on the lap.” This comment underscores the tangible impact Hadjar’s positioning had on Sainz’s performance.
In contrast, Hadjar advanced to Q3, qualifying in ninth position. He acknowledged the situation and took responsibility for the miscommunication, stating, “I never impede anyone; I was told Carlos had aborted his lap, which was a misunderstanding.”
As Sainz turns his focus to the race, his outlook remains bleak, admitting, “Honestly, I don’t care right now; I’m just disappointed.” While Hadjar expressed regret for Sainz’s predicament, the effects of the incident are likely to resonate throughout the race weekend.
As the team strategies unfold, the implications of qualifying position will play a crucial role in both drivers’ ambitions for the Canadian Grand Prix.
