Sainz targets Lotus scalp in Constructors’ standings

Carlos Sainz says Toro Rosso is keen to extend its current point-scoring streak into this weekend’s Russian Grand Prix in order to overhaul sixth-placed Lotus in the Constructors’ championship.

The Spaniard and rookie team-mate Max Verstappen travel to Sochi Autodrom on the back of two consecutive double top-10 finishes, with their Italian squad currently P7 in the standings and 16 points adrift of the Enstone-based outfit.

“It should be a good weekend for us,” said Sainz ahead of his maiden Russian GP appearance. “Hopefully we can continue to fight for points! We need to catch Lotus and overtake them in the championship.

“I also like the idea of racing around the Olympic Park, it’s something unusual.”

Fellow F1 debutant Verstappen enters the event with equally high ambitions but hopes he can have a smoother rider than in Singapore and Japan.

Having stalled on the grid at Marina Bay and run into trouble during qualifying at Suzuka, the Dutchman had to storm through the field on both occasions to recover in the points-paying positions.

“Sochi looks like an interesting track,” said the 18-year-old. “It should suit our car well, so hopefully we can have another strong weekend.

“I’ve never raced there, but we’ve done some good work on the sim so I’m familiar with the track.

“I look forward to driving there in real life. It seems like a circuit where there’s room for overtaking and hopefully this time I won’t have to start from the back again.”

Last year’s inaugural Russian Grand Prix saw Toro Rosso place its two drivers – Daniil Kvyat and Jean-Eric Vergne – in Q3, though both faded out of top 10 contention during the race.

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