F1 News
Sainz: Sixth place in F1 world championship gives McLaren "motivation to push"
Carlos Sainz managed to leapfrog Pierre Gasly in the F1 drivers' world championship after yet another strong result in Japan. Alex Albon is hot on the Spaniard's heels in the battle for sixth place. Sainz claims this adds motivation for himself and McLaren to continue pushing in the final four races of the season.
Sainz has just a 12 point buffer between himself and Aston Martin Red Bull Racing driver Albon. The McLaren driver made it back-to-back top-six finishes with a P5 in Japan to virtually secure the 'best of the rest' position.
His Woking-based team have improved significantly through the 2019 F1 season. He's pleased that the battle with Albon is tight as this motivates himself and McLaren to keep pushing for the big results.
“Jumping to sixth position in the Drivers' Championship after another strong weekend in Suzuka is encouraging and it only adds up to our motivation to keep pushing until the end of the year," Sainz said.
"It won't be easy to keep that position but I'll fight for it with everything we've got. We also took another important step in the Constructors' Championship, but we need to keep focussed. I’m excited to get back in the car for the Mexican Grand Prix. It’s an amazing event and a challenging circuit, so I’ll be making sure I give it my all and aim for good points once again."
McLaren have a comfortable 34 point buffer between themselves and Renault in the F1 constructors' championship. Going on McLaren's recent form, podium finishes will be required for the French outfit to topple McLaren.