Toro Rosso braced for difficult Canadian GP
Toro Rosso looks set for a difficult Canadian Grand Prix, having found out its car does not particularly suit the high speed nature of the Circuit de Gilles Villeneuve.
While Carlos Sainz qualified 11th, he underlined it will be difficult on Sunday, as the STR10 isn't exactly among the fastest on the straights, making it vulnerable to overtakes.
To make things worse for the team, Max Verstappen qualified 12th but has to drop 5 places as per his Monaco GP penalty to which is added a further 10 place drop because he has had to use a fifth ICU. As it is not possible to drop 15 places from 12th on the grid where he qualified, he will have a 10 second penalty added, which he will take at a pit stop during tomorrow's race.
Carlos Sainz, STR10-04, 11th: “We were not expecting to get anywhere near Q3 today but in the end we were very close to getting through! We can be happy with today’s P11 after a difficult day yesterday. I will start on the clean side of the grid and will also have the option to choose what tyre to start on, so it’s all looking positive. It will be a tough race tomorrow, I’d say the most difficult race of the season so far as we will find it difficult to overtake, but to finish in the points is still our target and that’s what we’ll fight for.”
Max Verstappen, STR10-02, 12th: “I think we made a good step forward in qualifying compared to the practice sessions, so I’m quite happy about where we ended up today. Unfortunately I will have to start from the back tomorrow due to the grid penalties, but I will do my best in the race. It definitely won’t be easy, but let’s wait for tomorrow, anything can happen here and we’re not giving up!”
Ben Waterhouse, Deputy Technical Director: “Today’s was a good result for the team. Both drivers did a good job and got the most out of the car, particularly after a difficult Friday where we had a few issues to sort out and a bit of a mixed-up session due to the rain. Carlos starts from P11, which means he can choose what tyres to start on and there’s good potential for him. Regarding Max, of course he has the pending penalties, but we’ve managed to minimise what the magnitude of that loss will be thanks to his good qualifying, so I think we’ve got a good opportunity to try and fight for a few more points tomorrow.”
