Poorly Sainz confident of starting Sunday's Sochi race

Renault F1 driver Carlos Sainz says that he is sure he will be able to take part in this weekend's Russian Grand Prix despite having been unwell with a serious eye infection during the week.

It seems that he picked up the problem on his way out to Sochi. It left him with a fever and sore throat on Wednesday, but the 24-year-old insists that he's already on the mend.

"I have a simple eye infection but I feel good for this race," he insisted.

He added that he was already feeling much improved, although he acknowledged that he was "probably a bit short on energy" on Friday.

• Sainz hoping to remain close to Alonso in the future

In any case, it had already been agreed that he would sit out FP1 in order to give Artem Markelov some experience in the car. Even with the eye issue, Sainz admitted he would have preferred to be out on the track.

"It’s definitely not ideal to miss a session like I did for FP1," he said. "But it’s also satisfying when you jump in the car for FP2 and there are no big surprises."

Sainz ended the 90-minute practice 12th fastest, just over two tenths of a second quicker than his team mate Nico Hulkenberg.

"It was a positive afternoon with the car and we managed to put a good amount of laps to prepare the car for qualifying and the race."

However, Sainz was two seconds off the pace of Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton, underlining just how much more pace they need to find before Sunday's race.

"We know we need to work on getting the most from the tyres since this will be key for us on Sunday," he continued. "We have a good idea where we should be able to unlock a little more speed, so I look forward to tomorrow.”

As for his ailment, a doctor with Hintsa Performance has examined him and given him antibiotics for the eye and ibuprofen for the sore throat.

"I hope to do the race without problems even if it bothers me a little," Sainz said. He added that his vision had not been impaired by the infection.

"Yes, having a good view is convenient when you are in an F1 car!" he laughed.

A simple eye infection is nothing compared to the situation Sainz found himself in Sochi three years ago when he suffered a huge accident in practice and had to be airlifted to hospital.

"It's funny, I've been evacuated by helicopter and this is one more experience," the Renault driver shrugged.

Sainz also suffered nausea in the Australian Grand Prix earlier this year after consuming a "poison banana" before the race.

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