McLaren got both cars into Q3 in Bahrain, something which Carlos Sainz says is “unthinkable” after their 2018 form.
After looking strong throughout qualifying, the Spaniard secured P7 on the grid for tomorrow, while team-mate Lando Norris claimed P10, meaning both Mclaren’s made it into the top-ten shootout for the first time since 2017.
“Congratulations to all the team, because we got both cars in Q3, which is something that hasn’t happened for a long time at this team,” Sainz told reporters at the Bahrain International Circuit.
“It shows we are working well, we are going in the right direction.
“A tough winter and the second half of last year trying to understand the problems with last year’s car is now starting to pay off.
“We are learning, we are improving the car and today we are here, nearly as the best of the rest, which was unthinkable three or four months ago. We were half a second off this.”
"We must keep our heads down and execute a good race tomorrow.”
Read more on Saturday at the #BahrainGP ➡️ https://t.co/ObBILE9kSs ?? pic.twitter.com/UhjwEf9zfH
— McLaren (@McLarenF1) March 30, 2019
McLaren ended the day just half a second down on the Mercedes, and Sainz, who retired in the season-opener after an MGU-K failure, is at a loss as to where this form has come from.
“It’s hard to understand why we are so close or why everything has tightened up,” he said.
“It’s better, more fun for the spectators. I think today we nearly beat a Red Bull, and we were nearly two seconds behind last year.
“We beat a Red Bull, Gasly, actually. It’s all a bit strange but that’s better.”
Solid effort! ??? Q3 comes to an end with @Carlossainz55 in P7 and @LandoNorris in P10.
From Bahrain to everyone back at base in Woking, nice work team.? #BahrainGP pic.twitter.com/tqw8ypFJv7
— McLaren (@McLarenF1) March 30, 2019
Norris followed up his P8 qualy finish in Melbourne with another solid effort in Sakhir, but he was slightly annoyed with a few mistakes which crept into his run.
“To have both cars in Q3 is very positive for the team, we’ve taken some small steps forward,” said the Brit. “It gives us a lot of confidence, for all of us.
“I made a couple of mistakes here and there, nothing big, a little lock-up into turn 10 which is quite tricky. I pushed a little too much.
“It’s still Q3, and I’m pretty happy with that.”
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