Martin Brundle has suggested that Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz will be disappointed with his performance in qualifying for the Bahrain Grand Prix.
Carlos Sainz will start Saturday afternoon’s race in fourth place despite topping the final practice session in Sakhir.
Commentating on the first qualifying of the 2024 season, Martin Brundle admitted that the 29-year-old will likely be frustrated with his performance.
Brundle thinks Sainz will be disappointed with Bahrain GP qualifying
Formula 1 fans were treated to a very close qualifying session in Bahrain although the final result seemed very familiar.
Max Verstappen topped the timing charts, pulling out nearly a quarter-of-a-second gap over Charles Leclerc.
Sainz’s Ferrari teammate admitted after the session in his post-race interview that he was frustrated with not pushing the Dutchman closer.
Especially considering Leclerc set the fastest time of the day but unfortunately, it was done during the second qualifying session.
Mercedes driver George Russell was satisfied with splitting the two Ferraris to start on the second row of the grid while Lewis Hamilton will have to fight through the grid from ninth.
However, Brundle said on commentary that at the end of qualifying in Bahrain, it’s Carlos Sainz who will sense he missed an opportunity.
After looking so quick all through practice, there’s a sense he didn’t quite hook up his final lap.
Sainz with work to do to catch Verstappen and Leclerc
Speaking on commentary after the chequered flag, Brundle said: “I think George Russell will be thoroughly satisfied with talking to the cameras as a top three contender there in qualifying and [Carlos] Sainz I think will be a bit disappointed with that.
“He was showing a bit more potential but, in the end, it was incredibly close.”
Carlos Sainz may take some satisfaction from outqualifying the man who’s replacing him at the end of the season at Ferrari.
The Spaniard is already assessing his options for next season and knows he needs to continue to impress until his future is secured.
Red Bull might be taking a closer look at how Sainz did in qualifying in Bahrain considering he finished above Sergio Perez, even if as Brundle says he had the potential to go even faster.
The challenge now is to see whether Ferrari have the ability to match Red Bull’s race pace.
If they can, then both drivers have a great chance of standing on the podium on Saturday evening.
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