Carlos Sainz: The result in Baku should serve as a benchmark

      In Baku, following the Azerbaijan round of the season, Carlos Sainz stood on the podium for the first time this season. Although that success should have given the Spanish Williams driver confidence, he remains realistic and has to admit that the Marina Bay street circuit in Singapore does not suit the FW47 well.

      Sainz also reminded that he has already tested a cooling vest, a new development by the FIA, but it turned out to be insufficiently effective and has its drawbacks.

      Carlos Sainz: "Speaking realistically, you have to admit that every time we fit the car with wings designed for higher downforce, it seems we become somewhat less competitive. If you look back at all our good results, we achieved them on tracks that required a lower level of downforce, and the FW47 responds better to the driver's inputs when the appropriate version of the rear wing is fitted.

      But that doesn't mean I won't try to produce a good result this weekend as well, to repeat the success we had in Baku. I suppose that's precisely the goal I should set for myself for the remainder of the season. Undoubtedly, the results of the previous round gave me a huge extra motivation and even, I would say, a kind of relief.

      They confirmed what I've been saying all year: we don't have a problem with pace — I just need weekends to fall into place. I hope the results from the previous round will serve as a benchmark: they show that I can perform at this level until the end of the season. Although, of course, it is proving very tough.

      Psychologically, I've gone through one of the most difficult periods of my career — there have been quite a few setbacks this year. Particularly tough challenges had to be tackled after the summer break, when I returned full of energy, with fresh strength, a new mindset and a new approach to my work.

      And I managed to perform well in Monza and Baku… I kept working and was ultimately rewarded."

      Speaking about the high physical demands to be endured during the Singapore weekend, Carlos said: "I believe temperatures do not exceed 29 degrees, but because of the humidity the heat feels much stronger both in the cockpit and outside of it. However, I think that the heat itself shouldn't be such a negative factor for us. For example, in Hungary it was very hot, but there wasn't that kind of humidity…

      Speaking of cooling vests, they work better each time. If initially this system worked for only half an hour, now it lasts at least an hour. The race in Singapore lasts two hours, but I've raced here ten times already, so I'm not worried if the vest loses effectiveness…

      Besides, we take ice baths. We will probably try this vest too and see how to proceed with it. For now it seems that it needs further development to achieve the optimal effect. But I didn't expect this system to be perfect already in its first year. Our engineers, as well as specialists from companies that work with Formula 1, always roll up their sleeves, and in the end they will find the right solution."