Apr 14, 2016

Carlos, optimistic in China: "We'll have a good chance here"

Team believes Shanghai suits better the STR11 than Bahrain

Shanghai, April 14th.- Carlos Sainz is optimistic ahead of the Chinese Grand Prix. After the engineering team held its first meetings, Scuderia Toro Rosso now believes that Shanghai is a good circuit to get the most out of its STR11.

Carlos is happy too that Qualifying reverts to its previous form, to the format used up until the end of last season. He explains that the current tyre-allocation makes more sense with this structure. These were his thoughts when he talked to the press in Shanghai.

"I arrive here with positive ambitions, that's for sure. Last year I liked this track and plus my team told me we should be a little better than we were in Bahrain. I'm really eager to get the weekend started. The first two races were difficult, though we had good pace. I want to have a proper start of the season".

"Strategy-wise, it's difficult to talk now because we haven't tested the car and the tyres yet, but for sure it won't be easy. Good thing is Qualifying will be the one we had in mind when back in January we selected these tyres. We go back to the old Qualifying, we know we'll have one chance. Let's go for it!", Carlos explained.

Last but not least, Carlos also said a few words about his fellow country-man Fernando Alonso, who will be able to be in the car after skipping the Bahrain race due to the serious crash he suffered at the first meeting of the year, the Australian GP.

"I am happy for Fernando. He'll have the chance to test himself in the car, though until he passes the last medical tests we must be cautious. The Starting Grid is always better when Fernando is in it".